No Passes for Press in R. Kelly Trial
AP Photo/Lou Chukman
R. Kelly's child-pornography trial just took a detour into a First Amendment case.
Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan today ruled that Chicago Sun-Times music critic Jim DeRogatis, the first person known to have been in possession of the infamous sex tape featuring the R&B star and an alleged minor, must turn over his notes and take the stand.
DeRogatis has long chronicled Kelly's personal travails in the newspaper and has been pegged by the singer's legal team as harboring an extreme bias against the artist.
The music writer will be called as a witness for the defense, who plan to ask him how he came to possess the VHS tape and what he did with it between the time he received it and handed it over to police in 2002.
According to previous testimony in the case, DeRogatis came into possession of the tape after an anonymous tipster left the video in his mailbox.
The defense contends DeRogatis illegally copied the tape and screened it for Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards, a relative of the alleged minor, to verify the girl's identity. Should that prove true, the reporter would have violated state laws against reproduction and dissemination of child pornography.
If it's not true, it would challenge testimony already given by Edwards, who claimed she viewed the tape with DeRogatis after the date he turned it over to police. With the potential to undermine her credibility, Kelly's attorneys argued that the writer's testimony was "crucial" to their case.
While Gaughan rejected arguments by the Chicago Sun-Times' legal team that forcing the writer to testify would violate the First Amendment, the judge did set up certain parameters to be followed during questioning.
The defense will not be allowed to ask the writer about any of his sources or subpoena notes taken prior to his handing over the tape to police; anything taken after, however, is fair game.
DeRogatis plans on appealing the ruling.
BIG PICTURE
Love, Seriously Justin and Jessica bundle up for a somber walk through the park in his hometown of Memphis
More PhotosE! News Now
-
Plenty of "Fame" In New Cast
The classic 1980 flick is being re-done with stars such as Kelsey Grammer and Megan Mullally in the mix. Get the details!
-
Tina Fey's Scarring Childhood
The small screen funny gal opens up about a traumatic childhood incident that left a famous scar on her left cheek.
-
Joe Jonas' New Crush
Should Joe's girl Camille Belle be worried? Hear all about his crush on British songbird Leona Lewis!
-
Radcliffe Talks Final "Potter" Film
Daniel Radcliffe reveals his plans for shooting the final "Harry Potter" film and what's in store for the Hogwarts gang.
Most Commented
- Rosie Live DOA, Rosie Says (270)
- Grey's Anatomy: What Is Wrong With Izzie Stevens? (258)
- Backstage at DWTS: There's Something Funny About Brooke Burke (123)
- Madonna, A-Rod Make Beautiful Music Together (110)
- Heroes Redux: A One Tree Hill Star Has Been Cast! (109)
- Is Prison Break Ending? (101)
- Kanye West's Elvis Presley Complex (91)
- Miley's Mess and Lance's Lip Service! What You Didn't See on DWTS (93)
- Spoiler Chat: Look Who's Hooking Up and Dying! (83)
- Britney on Being Old, Dating and Her Son's F-Bombs (83)
Top 10 Stories
- Jennifer Hudson's Brother-in-Law Arrested for Family Murders
- Kirsten Dunst Fends Off Serial Trespasser
- CSI's Marg Helgenberger Splits From Hubby
- Britney Spears, Simon Cowell Make (Ratings) Record
- Brandon Davis Smash Hits Pink's Ride
- By Jove! Downey Jr. Downed on Sherlock Set
- Sienna and Balthazar Still Together for Turkey Day
- Latest Details on Travis Barker, DJ AM Reunion Gig
- Britney Spears: Looking for a Husband?
- Four Christmases Outnumbers Twilight at Box Office
Hot Topics
Fashion Police
Buddy SystemSienna gets zero friendship points for not telling Keira something looks out of place on her dress
More Photos
More Pics from mystyle.com
Our Partners
Shop
-
"Coffee, Tea...or Soup?" Mug Spend $40 on The Soup items and get this mug for just $5!
-
The Soup Talking Bottle Opener It really does talk...Check it out!
Get Your E! News Now
E! News Now
-
Plenty of "Fame" In New Cast
The classic 1980 flick is being re-done with stars such as Kelsey Grammer and Megan Mullally in the mix. Get the details!
-
Tina Fey's Scarring Childhood
The small screen funny gal opens up about a traumatic childhood incident that left a famous scar on her left cheek.
-
Joe Jonas' New Crush
Should Joe's girl Camille Belle be worried? Hear all about his crush on British songbird Leona Lewis!
-
Radcliffe Talks Final "Potter" Film
Daniel Radcliffe reveals his plans for shooting the final "Harry Potter" film and what's in store for the Hogwarts gang.
0 Comments
Now loading...