AP Photo/M. Spencer GreenAs if the R. Kelly trial didn't have enough built-in puns, it now appears as though the defense may have a Deep Throat on its hands.
Testimony was abruptly called off in the R&B star's child-pornography trial in Chicago this afternoon after Kelly's defense team informed the judge that a new witness, not previously mentioned in the case, had unexpectedly contacted them and made himself available for the trial.
Little is known about the potential witness, save for the fact that he may possibly offer testimony to contradict one of the prosecution's star witnesses, an Atlanta woman who had been set to take the stand today and testify that she had a threesome with Kelly and an underage girl. That woman's testimony has since been postponed.
"I have no idea what's going on," Judge Vincent Gaughan told the jurorless courtroom. "But it might be impeachment of this witness."
According to Kelly attorney Sam Adam Sr., the surprise witness contacted him by telephone at 9 a.m. and is flying into Chicago at approximately 6 p.m., though it was not specified from where.
The judge said the trial would be postponed until both legal teams have the chance to depose the new witness.
"I don't care if the deposition takes place at 7 a.m.," he said.
"However long it takes, we'll interview him," Adam assured the judge. "If the state has a fax number, we'll fax it to them at 2 a.m."
Kelly, 41, faces 14 counts of child pornography stemming from a video purportedly showing him having sex with a minor. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Prosecutors have paraded out a dozen witnesses to ID the girl in the tape. Earlier today, a high school basketball coach testified that the girl in the tape is one of his former players, saying he recognized her in part by a distinctive necklace. A middle school hoops coach also presented similar testimony.