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Judge Begins Jury Selection in R. Kelly Trial

Denies motion to postpone 6-year-old child-porn case

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 9, 2008 2:07 PM CDT
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(Newser) – A Chicago judge today denied R. Kelly's attempt to further delay his child-pornography trial—already six years in the making—and began jury selection before recessing for the weekend, reports the Tribune in its gavel-to-gavel coverage. A circus atmosphere earlier prevailed outside the court, with fans and detractors of the R&B singer loudly heralding his arrival.

Lawyers for Kelly, 41, complained that recent publicity would taint the jury pool, but judge Vincent Gaughan wasn't buying it. Reporters also had a beef with Gaughan, who ordered deputies to keep them in a hallway so potential jurors would have courtroom seats. Proceedings are to resume Monday, with 20 people to be interviewed each day until 16 jurors and four alternates are chosen.

An unidentified fan reaches out to touch R&B singer R. Kelly arrives as he arrives at the Cook County Criminal Courthouse in Chicago Tuesday, April 1, 1008, for a status hearing in his upcoming trial.
An unidentified fan reaches out to touch R&B singer R. Kelly arrives as he arrives at the Cook County Criminal Courthouse in Chicago Tuesday, April 1, 1008, for a status hearing in his upcoming trial.   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Singer R. Kelly arrives at Cook County criminal court for a bond status hearing in his child pornography case in Chicago, Friday, Dec. 21, 2007.
Singer R. Kelly arrives at Cook County criminal court for a bond status hearing in his child pornography case in Chicago, Friday, Dec. 21, 2007.   (AP Photo/Brian Kersey)
In this Dec. 21, 2007, R. Kelly leaves Cook County criminal court after a bond status hearing in his child pornography case in Chicago.
In this Dec. 21, 2007, R. Kelly leaves Cook County criminal court after a bond status hearing in his child pornography case in Chicago.   (AP Photo/Brian Kersey, file)
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