Prosecutor calls R. Kelly a 'predator' as sex abuse trial and testimony begin

R&B singer R. Kelly. (Courtesy)

R. Kelly is a “predator” who demanded absolute fealty from the many women and underage girls he dominated in a two-decade racketeering scheme, a federal prosecutor said on Wednesday as the R&B star’s sex abuse trial began.

Kelly’s defense team countered that the government’s case had “gaps,” and that the 54-year-old singer’s accusers were unhappy former fans who wanted to get back at him because their relationships didn’t work out.