R. Kelly Trial Could Be Postponed—Again
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
Perhaps R. Kelly is hoping to wait until he isn't famous anymore.
With jury selection scheduled to begin Friday, the Grammy winner's legal camp filed a sealed motion Wednesday to postpone Kelly's upcoming trial on child-pornography charges, citing the "torrent of publicity" already surrounding the case, which has been marinating in the annals of the Chicago justice system for nearly six years.
Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan has given prosecutors until Friday to respond to the defense's request. The trial is expected to last for several weeks, once it actually begins.
On Monday, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld Gaughan's earlier decision to deny the Associated Press and several Chicago news outlets access until after the trial to any sealed files pertaining to the case, which stems from the 41-year-old Kelly's alleged sexual encounter with a 13-year-old girl captured on a 15-minute videotape sometime between 1998 and 2000.
In its bid for more time, Kelly's team pointed to the widespread media coverage of Gaughan's decision to let a third woman testify that she had a threesome with the R&B singer and the alleged victim—who's now 23 and is reportedly denying that it's her on the tape.
All hearings regarding the new potential witness were closed off to the press, but, despite a gag order imposed on the proceedings, sources with "knowledge of the matter" inevitably leaked the details to the Chicago Sun-Times.
"We are asking your honor to continue the case in light of the torrent of publicity over the weekend, specifically the front page of the Sun-Times, articles on pages 3 and 15, along with three pictures of Mr. Kelly and quotation of sources about leaked information,” Kelly attorney Marc Martin said in court today. “We ask also that court allow us to respond to the press about these matters."
Kelly, who was charged in 2002, has pleaded not guilty to child-porn charges that could land him behind bars for up to 15 years and, in case you couldn't tell, waived his right to a speedy trial.
Since a grand jury handed down an indictment, more than 60 pretrial motions have been filed by both sides, the judge has needed time off to recover from a broken back, the lead prosecutor gave birth, Kelly had his appendix removed and the singer's in-demand lawyers have been off defending others.
And, remaining free on $750,000 bail, Kelly has kept busy performing and recording.
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11 Comments
Amanda Wed, May 7, 2008 6:50 PM
Well this is just ridiculous. Is this how we deal with child pornographers and pedofiles? Let them run around while we postpone their trials for YEARS? Publicity my butt. He sure didn't care about it when he was filming his little **** movie with a child. And publicity is no excuse to keep delaying this trial just so he can have a few more years of freedom. Because that's all this is about. He doesn't want to go to jail so he will continue to come up with excuses as to why the trial can't proceed. He is a pitiful, disgusting excuse of a man. You want to have sex with children, you should have to pay the price. Hopefully his day will come sometime in this century.
Reportguest Wed, May 7, 2008 7:21 PM
Well, if he's waiting until he's not famous anymore, he need not wait any longer. Who the h3ll is he anyway?!
Reporttammy Wed, May 7, 2008 8:02 PM
The girl in video did not look like a child to me so what if hes older she looked like a young tramp who knew whats she was doing I did not see a gun or anything forcing her its just because he is famous that such a big deal is being made this goes on all the time these young girls these days act older look older and lie about their age.
Reporttravis Wed, May 7, 2008 9:25 PM
No Amanda, this is how we deal with certain child pornographers and pedophiles. It certaintly didn't take the authorities long to bring Michael Jackson to trial (even if the scum did get off). There are so many people out there who think R. Kelly did nothing wrong, but I honestly feel like it's only because the person in the video was a girl and not a boy. Just like there's a double standard when it comes to female teachers and male students, there's a double standard in regards to whether the victim was the same sex as the perpetrator. Since it was a girl, she must have wanted it, led him on, etc.
ReportAmber Thu, May 8, 2008 5:39 AM
travis, who are you calling scum fool? Michael was innocent (I was there at the trial unlike fools like you who talk out of the side of your mouth and NOT base on facts. People like you are the reason why the Duke Lacrosse players suffered as well. So quit to judge situations that you do not know about). I do not know about the R Kelly case but it should have been to trial long ago.
ReportAmber Thu, May 8, 2008 5:46 AM
travis, leave Michael Jackson name out of this mess (and Michael is NOT scum as you want to desire. Michael was INNOCENT and that proven so let it go. I was there and heard it all for myself unlike you. R Kelly case should have gone the trial a long time ago.
Reporttravis Thu, May 8, 2008 6:49 AM
ok, MJ calm down.
Reportmaikiki Thu, May 8, 2008 9:25 AM
I'm sure he had no clue Aaliyah (R.I.P) was 15 when he married her!!!! I need him to go to trial asap! I like his music and i think he's an amazing talent but I refuse to step in the name of love when instructed by a pedophile!
Reportbigmama Thu, May 8, 2008 6:17 PM
i just want to say r kelly is a pedifile that got caught and he is propondorus and his case has lingerd to long i was just doing some things on line and he happened to be on e news i was truly shocked when i heard this mess was still going on thats a dammed shame this nation as a hold that we live in is just too much.
Reportbigmama Thu, May 8, 2008 6:23 PM
yeh by the way it goes on and on about micheal jackson and his case its already over but the press and everybody else has to have an opion on mickey, but look at whats really going on with him loosing his ranch and all the law suits he has still going on today talk about that and see if little boy blue lands----------- on his feet or his *** does he has enough money to stay in the preducions of his own reculation lets talk about that i personally think he is guilty as mamas home made soup but lets talk abut the real **** will the money keep comming or will he end up on skid road
Reportmiss Hamilton Fri, May 9, 2008 9:42 AM
I agree wi bigmama that rkelly case gone on 2 long!!!
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