R. Kelly appears distressed as he arrives at court in Chicago

R. Kelly appeared distressed as he arrived in court Wednesday for a status hearing in relation to a sexual assault case.

The embattled singer, 52, hid his eyes behind dark sunglasses and made several strained expressions as he entered Chicago’s Leighton Criminal Courts Building flanked by a large entourage.  

Seemingly overwhelmed by his legal troubles, the R&B star – who plead not guilty to 11 new sex assault charges earlier this month – looked to be on the brink of tears as a small number of fans turned out with supportive placards and posters. 

Inside the court room, prosecutors handed over a DVD allegedly showing Kelly having sex with an underage female.

The footage – thought to have been filmed in the 1990s – was obtained by lawyer Michael Avenatti back in February, and reportedly shows the singer sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl. 

R. Kelly appeared distressed as he arrived at Leighton Criminal Courts Building in Chicago on Wednesday for a status hearing in relation to a sexual assault case

Appearing overwhelmed by his legal troubles, the singer made a series of strained facial expressions and appeared on the verge of tears

Appearing overwhelmed by his legal troubles, the singer made a series of strained facial expressions and appeared on the verge of tears

The Grammy winner was dressed in brown suit and dark sunglasses as he arrived in court flanked by an entourage

The Grammy winner was dressed in brown suit and dark sunglasses as he arrived in court flanked by an entourage

The firebrand lawyer, who represented porn star Stormy Daniels in her court battle against President Trump, reportedly shared the footage with CNN. 

During the hearing on Wednesday, Kelly’s high-powered attorneys argued that the video had been passed around before criminal charges were filed in the case. 

They suggested that courts should be looking into how the footage was obtained and who has been sharing it. 

Judge Lawrence Flood – who presided over the hearing – said there may be criminal charges for anyone who disseminates the tape. 

He also said that that Kelly will likely stand trial next year in relation to the sex assault charges.

Kelly’s next hearing is scheduled for August 15.  

A small number of R. Kelly fans arrived outside of court brandishing placards that insisted on the singer's innocence

A small number of R. Kelly fans arrived outside of court brandishing placards that insisted on the singer’s innocence

Kelly has now been charged with a total of 21 sexual assault charges, and could face the rest of his life in prison

Kelly was indicted on 10 charges back in February, before he was slapped with a further 11 earlier this month

Kelly has now been charged with a total of 21 sexual assault charges, and could face the rest of his life in prison 

Wednesday's appearance marked the second time that Kelly has fronted court this month

Wednesday’s appearance marked the second time that Kelly has fronted court this month

Wednesday’s appearance marked the second time that Kelly has fronted court this month. 

On June 32, the Ignition singer appeared in court to plead not guilty to 11 new sexual assault charges.

In total, Kelly has now pleaded not guilty to 21 sexual abuse charges since February for his alleged abuse against four different women, three of whom were underage when the alleged crimes took place.  

Among the 11 new counts are four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, which carries a sentence of up to 30 years in prison. 

In January, several of Kelly’s alleged victims spoke about their experience in the Lifetime documentary, Surviving R. Kelly.  

Inside the court room, Kelly's legal team told the judge that it was unlawful for the sex tape to be disseminated before charges had been filed

Inside the court room, Kelly’s legal team told the judge that it was unlawful for the sex tape to be disseminated before charges had been filed 

In January, several of Kelly's alleged victims spoke about their experience in the Lifetime documentary, Surviving R. Kelly

In January, several of Kelly’s alleged victims spoke about their experience in the Lifetime documentary, Surviving R. Kelly

In March, the I Believe I Can Fly hit-maker sat down with CBS’s Gayle King for an explosive interview in which he denied all accusations of abuse. 

During the chat, the star flew into a fit of rage, standing up and shouting at the anchor. 

Speaking with People magazine last week, King claimed Kelly was ‘off the rails’.

‘When he jumped out of the chair, and he’s hitting, and he’s screaming, and spit is flying because he’s angry, I just thought, ‘You can’t respond in kind to that. If you respond in kind to that, then we’re both off the rails,’ 

Several of Kelly's most devoted fans turned out with placards and megaphones to support the embattled star on Wednesday

Several of Kelly’s most devoted fans turned out with placards and megaphones to support the embattled star on Wednesday

The group's support didn't seem to lift Kelly's spirits, as he appeared visibly strained while entering court on Wednesday morning

The group’s support didn’t seem to lift Kelly’s spirits, as he appeared visibly strained while entering court on Wednesday morning 

Despite multiple charges brought against him, a number of Kelly's fans are steadfastly supporting the star

Despite multiple charges brought against him, a number of Kelly’s fans are steadfastly supporting the star

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