Thread by @innercitypress

OK - now a proceeding / ruling in US v. Donnell Russell, self-described manager of #RKelly. He's filed a motion on which Judge Gardephe is about to rule. Inner City Press covered the trial(s) patreon.com/posts/document… and will live tweet, thread below

Judge Gardephe: This was about a screening of a film alleging that RKelly had sexually abused young girls. 70 to 100 people attended the screening. The evidence showed the defendant repeatedly called the venue to try to stop the screening

Judge Gardephe: Russell coordinated with Kash Jones, a hip hop journalist. He wrote to her, Are they continuing with the screening? Jones replies, Yes.

Judge Gardephe: After texting Kash Jones that the police might be coming, Donnell Russell later told her to "delete those messages about 5-0." Russell said in an "At Night" YouTube interview that if the screening had happened, some concerts wouldn't have happned

Judge: The jury found Russell guilty on Count Two, not guilty on Count One. He moved for a judgment of acquittal on Count Two... But the threat call was made from the Russell Land Line. And he texted Kash Jones about "the cops may be arriving shortly"

Judge: Russell said on YouTube he was on the phone with the venue "all day." He pretended to be a lawyer, sending a cease & desist letter.... In sum, evidence was more than sufficient... Yes, the threat recipient sounded like a thug. But a jury could ID Russell

Judge: Asking for a new trial, Russell argues that the court erroneously allowed in various exhibits. Some of the exhibits he cites were never admitted. The others were relevant and/or not inflammatory. Only 1409-A was objected to; it was redacted

Judge: So the motion for a new trial is [also] denied. Sentencing is adjourned to December 19. Thank you all and good day.
Story soon.