ATLANTA — An Atlanta-based attorney who represents an alleged victim of R. Kelly says there's enough evidence out there to convict the singer.
Attorney Michael Avenatti, who is representing an alleged whistleblower against Kelly, is said to have handed over a tape to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office in Chicago. The tape is supposed to be evidence of Kelly having sex with an underage girl.
Gerald Griggs represents an unnamed accuser as well as the family of Jocelyn Savage, a woman who has been with Kelly for several years without contacting her family. Savage’s family claims Kelly has held their daughter captive since 2016 as a part of a sex cult.
Griggs says neither his unnamed client or Savage are the girl seen in the tape. Although he’s spoken with Avenatti, Griggs has no want to see the tape.
“I don’t want to watch child porn,” Griggs said. “I’ve spoken with Mr. Avenatti and other individuals familiar with the tape and it allegedly purports to show Mr. Kelly engaging in sexual acts with a 14-year-old who identifies herself as a 14-year-old.”
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From what’s been shared with him, Griggs said the video is well-lit and Kelly can clearly be seen.
For those familiar with Kelly’s 2002 arrest for child pornography, the case centered on another video involving a man having sex with a girl, supposedly 13 years old at the time. The trial focused on whether the man in the video was Kelly. The girl in the video never came forward. Kelly was later acquitted.
Griggs says this case will center on whether someone can authenticate the tape.
“From my understanding, there are at least two witnesses that can identify the person in the tape and one witness that can authenticate where the tape came from," Griggs said.
It’s believed the tape is a VHS at least 10 years old and Griggs says it’s confirmation of what Kelly’s accusers have been saying for years.
“It further shows that there has been predatory behavior for years.”
#MuteRKelly campaign co-founder, Kenyette Barnes, tweeted on Friday, “Fulton County DA Paul Howard was given information and was asked to investigate R Kelly in 2017 by the Fulton County Commission Chairman. Some of the things that came out in #SurvivingRKelly was happening in Fulton County Georgia in 2017. This is nothing new.”
Griggs agreed with Barnes’s message, adding he has provided the district attorney with evidence that Kelly allegedly was sexually exploiting and holding young girl’s hostage in his Johns Creek home.
“There’s evidence to get this to a grand jury and get this indicted. And I believe there is sufficient evidence to get this to a jury of 12 and get a conviction.
Griggs said. "You have his ex-wife, you have his daughter, you have his music teacher, you have his brothers, you have multiple accusers and you have a video tape. What else do you need?”
Griggs said he is waiting to hear what will happen in Chicago, but hopes a Fulton County grand jury will convene for evidence to be presented. In the meantime, the attorney added he hopes Kelly’s or Kelly’s attorney will arrange a meeting for Jocelyn and her family in Atlanta or another place outside of Chicago. Jocelyn in the past, denied claims that she was part of a sex cult.
Kelly's attorney, Steve Greenberg responded to Grigg's claims via email to 11Alive's Hope Ford.
"Seriously, {he hasn't seen} anything but then he’s telling us what it shows. How would he know if he hasn’t seen it? And because a bunch of previously debunked claims have been repeated he hopes it’s enough. Obviously, he has little experience. As far as his clients visiting, they won’t come to Chicago so I don’t know how they expect a visit."