R. Kelly says he won't testify at his sex trafficking trial

R. Kelly has told a judge that he won’t take the witness stand at his sex trafficking trial

NEW YORK -- R. Kelly told a judge on Wednesday that he won't take the witness stand at his sex trafficking trial, meaning he'll avoid the risk of a potentially brutal cross-examination.

“You don't want to testify, correct?” U.S. District Judge Ann Connelly asked the R&B singer. He responded: “Yes, ma'am.”

Lawyers had already said Kelly was unlikely to testify in his own behalf. The defense is now expected to rest its case later Wednesday, clearing the way for the start of closing arguments.

The short defense case has relied on a handful of former Kelly employees and other associates who agreed to take the stand to try to discredit allegations that he sexually abused women, girls and boys during a 30-year musical career highlighted by the 1996 smash hit “I Believe I Can Fly.”