Judge selection begins in R&B singer R. Kelly's child pornography case

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Vincent Gaughan outlined the 14-count indictment against the R&B superstar to potential jurors who packed into the courtroom. Gaughan refused to allow reporters to view the jury selection. A court official said there were not enough seats.

Earlier Friday, Gaughan denied a defense motion to again postpone the trial that already has been delayed for six years.

Defense attorney Marc Martin told the court that the jury pool had been "irrevocably poisoned" by an article in Friday's Chicago Sun-Times citing unnamed sources talking about a potential witness.

But prosecutors contended it was premature to say the article had affected potential jurors and that if any were tainted, they could be weeded out during the selection process.

Publicity surrounding the case has heated up and some media have speculated about who might testify.

Kelly, who wore a blue suit and had braided hair, did not acknowledge the crowd as he walked with several other people and a videographer into the courthouse on Friday morning. Raucous onlookers shouted "I love you" and "R. Kelly's a pedophile" as he walked up a special walkway.

Prosecutors will have to surmount several hurdles if they hope to prevail.

Chief among them is that the alleged victim, now 23, says it was not her on the videotape. And Kelly's lawyers _ including prominent Chicago attorney Ed Genson _ have not admitted it is Kelly in the video.

The 41-year-old Kelly, who has pleaded not guilty, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

The centerpiece of the trial is the video footage, which Gaughan ruled may be shown in open court.

Prosecutors claim the videotape was made sometime between Jan. 1, 1998, and Nov. 1, 2000, and that the girl was born in September 1984. Kelly was indicted on pornography charges on June 5, 2002, after the tape surfaced.

It is unclear whether prosecutors have asked _ or would be allowed _ to tell jurors about accusations that Kelly allegedly had sexual relations with other minors, because some of the trial proceedings have been kept secret by the judge.

Media outlets, including The Associated Press, have filed a motion seeking to get court records and hearing transcripts unsealed. Gaughan said Thursday he would rule on that motion May 16.

Once the trial gets under way, it is expected to last at least several weeks.

On Friday, the crowd swelled outside the courthouse.

"That man belongs in jail," shouted Najee Ali, 45 of Chicago. "We want him prosecuted ... six years has been long enough."

Although Kelly won a Grammy in 1997 for the gospel-like song "I Believe I Can Fly," his biggest hits have been sexually charged songs like "Bump N' Grind," "Ignition" and his current single, "Hair Braider." He is due to release a new album in July.

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