I Believe I Can Fly...to Jail

Lawyers are expected to present opening arguments in the child pornography trial involving R&B star R Kelly later. The selection of 12 jurors and four "alternate" jurors in the Chicago court case finished last week.

Jurors include a man who spent five days in jail for marijuana possession and the wife of a Baptist preacher. Mr Kelly has denied filming himself engaging in sex acts with a girl who prosecutors say could have been as young as 13.

The jurors were selected from an initial pool of 150.

On Friday, Judge Vincent Gaughan refused a media request for access to transcripts of any parts of the hearing held behind closed doors. He also refused to lift a gagging order forbidding lawyers from talking about the case. The judge said he was not trying to inhibit the press but wanted to guarantee a fair trial.

In 2002, Mr Kelly was charged with 21 counts relating to child pornography and was released on $750,000  bail. Seven of the charges have since been dropped.

Mr Kelly, whose hits include She's Got That Vibe and I Believe I Can Fly, faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted. The girl, now 23, who is alleged to be in a crucial videotape says it was not her in the footage.

myson wrote on May 20th 08 at 02:22PM

why do celebrity cases take so long? i remember seeing a Boondocks episode and they took care of this case in 30 minutes while it takes our judicial system ten years. of course, i'm exaggerating, but come on! doesn't the Constitution grant us the right to a speedy trial? what is taking so long? honestly, i fefel like the higher ups are jsut sitting on their hands, "doing nothing but aging."
but then again, i'm only sixteen. i don't know exactly what i'm talking about. regardless, should this case really take this long?

Suricou Raven wrote on May 20th 08 at 02:23PM

"Mr Kelly, whose hits include She's Got That Vibe -"

Bad image!

If he is on video, why isn't he pleading guilty and playing the reformed card to beg for leniency? He would only plead not-guilty if he thinks he can win. Meaning either he is stupid, or he has a trick planned.

Sami J wrote on May 20th 08 at 07:35PM

myson said "but then again, i'm only sixteen. i don't know exactly what i'm talking about."

Its ok mate, just wait 5 more years, then you'll be 21 and know everything.

Josh wrote on May 24th 08 at 07:58PM

The right to a speedy trial is for the defendant. When cases drag on there are usually defense lawyers pulling out everything they can to get more time. Or the prosecution is taking more time to make sure they have a solid case. The legal system is not flawless but does work. Only time will tell how this case plays out.

Christopher Sean wrote on May 25th 08 at 12:11AM

@Surican

Or maybe he is innocent of having child pornography? Maybe he wants to tell the truth, and the truth is he did have sexual activities with that woman, but that woman was older than 18 years old.

I am not certain how old the woman on that videotape is, but I do not suggest anyone admit something that is not true just to get a better deal because they are afraid to go to jail innocently.

And to your question, why isn't he pleading guilty? Well I explained that earlier, they are not charging him for being on film with a female and committing sexual activities, they are charging him with possession and making child pornography and having sex with a minor, statutory rape, intoxication of a minor, and a slew of other charges.