Breaking News
R. Kelly Jury Selection Begins...Finally
Fri., May. 9, 2008 10:10 AM PDT
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
The time has finally come for R. Kelly to face the music, and by the look of things, he may have a few more notes to account for than first thought.
Jury selection in the 41-year-old's absurdly delay-plagued trial on child pornography charges finally kicked off in Chicago today, a date more than six years in the making, but not without one final bid for a postponement.
Despite a last-minute motion filed by Kelly's legal team to delay the trial, Judge Vincent Gaughan ruled that the jury selection would, at long last, begin after a brief recess.
That makes two strikes for the R&B star, as the Chicago Sun-Times also dropped a bombshell on the forthcoming proceedings this morning, revealing that an aide to the singer allegedly paid off an Atlanta woman for the safe return of a sex tape—one separate from the footage allegedly starring Kelly and a 13-year-old girl—featuring the singer.
It's unclear whether Kelly was privy to the deal.
Further complicating matters, the woman, who is described as having been in love with the star, is also expected to testify that she had a ménage à trois with Kelly and yet another underage girl. The woman has received immunity for her testimony.
As for the more infamous videotape at the heart of the case, the one allegedly starring Kelly and an underage girl, the now 23-year-old female is expected to testify in the trial that she is in fact a victim...of mistaken identity.
While prosecution is adamant otherwise, the woman claims she's not Kelly's costar in the footage.
Kelly has pleaded not guilty to the charges; he faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
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28 Comments
Kat Fri, May 9, 2008 10:32 AM
Nothing would make me happier than to see this scumbag go to jail. I've been waiting for six years, let's do it!
Reportmike Fri, May 9, 2008 10:32 AM
first
ReportE Fri, May 9, 2008 11:09 AM
There is a lot that can be said about the personal life of R Kelly. He is still one of the best artists out there.
ReportGregg Fri, May 9, 2008 11:14 AM
Does anyone doubt he paid off the victim, who's now claiming not to be the girl in the video?
Reportg4ce724 Fri, May 9, 2008 11:38 AM
I concur with Kat. I hope they kick him under the jail. The difference between him and the average Joe is that because of his money ***** get off yet to prey on another teenager. Him and Michael should be sharing the same cell.
ReportShonathan Hilton Fri, May 9, 2008 11:41 AM
I hope he gets sentenced to jail for a couple of years. If he doesnt, he is gonna want to make more music, and i really dont want to hear that c r a p. www.myspace.com/itsjonabitch
Reporttwade Fri, May 9, 2008 12:54 PM
He needs to do some serious jail time. For many years he has been taking advantage of underage girls. I have no doubt that he has paid off this girl to say that she is NOT in fact the girl in the video. I don't care how good his music is. Does that give him carte blanche to do whatever he wants no matter how morally and legally wrong it is? I don't want to hear his music anymore until he has paid the piper. And people need to sit down and stop standing up for this pedaphile's character just 'cause they like his music or have met him a few times and feel like they know him.
Reportadam Fri, May 9, 2008 1:38 PM
It just goes to show how screwed up as a society we are with regards to sex. I've seen the video plenty of times and it was completely consensual. In addition she probably made a few bucks in the process, more than any 13 girl could have probably earned on their own. I am for sex and legal prostitution so as long as both parties agree to the act. It does not take much mental development to enjoy sex, although the government and religious nuts would like you to think otherwise. That's why in most states you need to be 18. The theory behind that is to protect children. I say bullcrap to that. I was sexually active with my first girlfriend when I was eleven and it was great. Now that I'm much older I still look back on my pre adolescent sexual experiences and would do it all over again.
Reportprissa Fri, May 9, 2008 1:54 PM
I totally believe that he did it and he's a pedophile. Does anyone remember the scandal between him and Aalyiah?? She was what 14 or 15 and he was on all her early songs and in all her early videos (age ain't nothing but a number) and then it was rumored they went to Bahamas (or somewhere) and got married. I'm sure that was just so he could hit it. What a nasty pervert * and his recent music isn't all that hot either.
ReportSpecial K Fri, May 9, 2008 2:18 PM
I'm with you there, adam. I enjoyed my youthful sexual experiences and would like to have had more! The difference between your 11 year old self, and this case, is that you were both consenting minors * he's a generation older, and much wealthier, than the kiddies he plays with. So, there's a massive power imbalance that doesn't leave the already immature mind with a lot of choice. Maybe he needs to get a hold of Michael's lawyers...
ReportWhateva man Fri, May 9, 2008 4:31 PM
Well, I actually hope he gets punished for fu**ing a 14 year old, but no matter what I am still a fan of his music cause R.Kelly be doing the **** thang!!!!
ReportJH77 Fri, May 9, 2008 6:09 PM
He better go to jail for a long time, He;s nothing but a child mulasting piece of ***** I hope he goes to jail and gets it in the *** by big bubu haha.. and they should sew him and takeall his money
Reportsclou Fri, May 9, 2008 6:13 PM
No matter what anyone says, 17 year old girls know what they're doing when they have sex with someone. I knew what I was doing, and I didn't sleep around. This girl probalby just wanted to brag to her friends that she had sex with a celebrity. And seriously, whats the difference between being 17, and being 18? Not much.
Reportjeff Fri, May 9, 2008 8:12 PM
R.Kelly raped me too. He made me give him a blumpkin
Reporttimothy jenkins Fri, May 9, 2008 8:14 PM
i gave him a hummer for 5 bucks and some weed.
ReporttheTRUTH Fri, May 9, 2008 9:02 PM
ADAM should be investigated by the FBI. He sounds like a child molester, seriously.
ReportStandby Sat, May 10, 2008 11:50 AM
Adam, I reported your comment. You 'read' dangerously close to a turd I served in the military with; an overheated dog without a leash. I hope law enforcement follows up with you.
Reportola Sat, May 10, 2008 12:13 PM
i know he should be punished for wat he did, but at d same time they should pardon him no one is perfect.as a proverb say every one is a thief he dt is couth in d morning is a robber.is bco's u know his dt u comment if u hear wat other celeb do u cut them to pieces.
ReportA REAL MAN Sat, May 10, 2008 1:55 PM
In fairness to this bag of jit-the girl told him she was FOURTEEN!
ReportA REAL MAN Sat, May 10, 2008 1:57 PM
Hey Adam-you need to be put in prison right now you sick SOB. Are you a NAMBLA guy? You sure sound like it!
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