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from: JIM MUSTIAN, Associated Press
Posted: 09/13/2021 / 3:48 PM CDT
Updated: 09/13/2021 / 3:48 PM CDT
NEW YORK (AP) – R. Kelly’s longtime assistant testified Monday that the R&B superstar was so paranoid that he once asked her to change into a robe to show she wasn’t wearing wire.
“It could get pretty hot,” said Diana Copeland, who was Kelly’s assistant for 15 years. She told the jury that he made her cry sometimes.
Copeland testified that Kelly followed strict guidelines for his entourage, once forcing her to write a letter falsely admitting that she had stolen from him.
However, Copeland said she hadn’t seen any of the alleged abuse – including kidnapping and sexual assault – described by a long list of witnesses in Kelly’s extortion trial in a federal court in Brooklyn last month.
The Grammy-winning, multi-platinum singer has denied allegations that during his 30-year career he ran a criminal enterprise that sexually exploited women, girls and even boys, highlighted by his anthem “I Believe I Can Fly” . His lawyers have portrayed his accusers as groupies lying about their relationships with him.
Copeland’s testimony revealed new details about Kelly’s unusual routines and the degree to which he relied on his inner circle.
She said he has no control over his own bank account and “has no idea where his royalties go”.
“He didn’t even know his own social security number,” said Copeland. “That was a huge problem.”
Born Robert Sylvester Kelly, the singer has problems reading and writing and would let Copeland compose his text messages before the advent of voice-to-text applications.
Kelly lived a nightly lifestyle where he often didn’t start his day until 5 p.m., played basketball at midnight, and stayed in the recording studio until sunrise, Copeland said.
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