A singer reacts to her ex-boss’ acquittal of child pornography charges

Former R. Kelly protégé Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards remains firm on her identification of her allegedly underage niece as the person shown in a sex video with Kelly. Despite Kelly’s recent acquittal on child pornography charges, Edwards says the multi-platinum singer got away with robbing the cradle. “I was at peace with it because, the night before, I felt like the verdict would come down the next day,” Sparkle tells Philly radio host Kendra G. “I was talking to God all night. She continues, “Honestly, honestly honestly, I really didn’t want to see Robert go to jail. I just felt like he should’ve gotten some help.” The trial and Sparkle’s decision to testify has strained her family, some of whom denied her niece was in the video, she says. But she’s working to restore her family’s ties. “I did what I was supposed to do,” Sparkle adds.

Jurors began deliberating R. Kelly’s fate at about 3:30 p.m. (ET)

Nine men and three women began deliberations today in the R. Kelly trial. Their decision will determine if R. Kelly will face prison on 14 counts of child pornography. Closing arguments are set after witnesses for the prosecution testified of their beliefs that a tape shows Kelly engaged sexually with an underage girl, while defense witnesses countered that the alleged victim, at least, is not shown in footage. The jury’s verdict is likely to hinge on whether its members believe a child was exploited moreso than whether Kelly’s ID can be proved positively, experts say. “Making the case stand for more than this girl is important to make the jury go your way,” New York lawyer Paul DerOhannesian, a trial observer, tells the Chicago Tribune.