R. Kelly’s trial has been delayed, again. This would mark five years since charges were brought agains the rap artist for child pornography and a slew of other child related charges.
In the more than five years since he was charged, Kelly’s career and popularity have soared. He has produced several hit CDs, gone on tour and recently released the latest installments of his highly successful video serial “Trapped in the Closet.” In fact, the lastest promotion is the follow up to “Trapped in the Closer.”
Apparently, the case has been fraught with problems with the attorneys involved in the case. It was either the defense attorney had other clients , injured in some accident, arguing pretrial constitutional motions, or now, the Assistant State Attorney is on maternity leave. While Kelly is in no rush to expedite the case as it doesn’t jeopardize his rights, but whatever happened to swift, expeditious trial and justice?
Two words come to mind, celebrity justice. As in most high-profile cases, the justice system turns into a special ed system wherein in loses its sense of decor and procedural integrity to cater to the accused celebrity. Be it with celebrity or high ranking officials, justice tastes different for the Joe schmoes of society. There are no special entrance for the average Joe, no special accommodations, no special meals, and no special justice.
Our only justice is that people like Paris Hilton are made poster criminals so to sanctify the reckless and rich. For Hilton, her drunk driving and reckless driving only side-issued the fact that she made a mockery of the Los Angeles prosecutor’s office and so she had to be made an example of. Even Anderson Cooper was disgusted and incredulous at the distasteful coverage that CNN was endowing on Paris Hilton. While truly saddened by the events that unfolded, there was a part of me that was jubilant when they hauled her back to court to take her back to the slammer. Nothing like justice served with an equal opportunity enforcer.
Kelly has an arduous and formidable legal obstacle to surmount. Celebrity status aside, if he is found guilty of the charges, he deserves the same punishment that average Joe would receive. Average Hoe might not profit from the notoriety of a pending criminal trial and may not be able to produce a blockbuster album called “Trapped in the Closet,” but at least he’s free. That’s what the last five years has been about for Kelly. Being free and making millions so he can pay his dream legal team to postpone the case as much as possible r the expeditious legal system.
Just because he’s popular rap artist and rich does not preempt him from the blind lady of justice, even if it takes five years to get him before her.
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