R. Kelly Trial Adjourns Early
Attorney For R&B Singer Said He Was Contacted By Man Who Claims To Have Relevant Info
-
Play CBS Video Video Under The Red Carpet Take a peek under the red carpet with CBS Mobile News' Sonya Singh. R. Kelly to go on trial; Lane Garrison to go to jail; and Reese Witherspoon becomes Avon's global ambassador.
-
R&B singer R. Kelly arriving at a Chicago courthouse on April 1, 2008. (AP)
Judge Vincent Gaughan said attorneys needed time to depose the man, who potentially could impeach someone else's testimony, but didn't elaborate. Kelly attorney Sam Adam Sr. said the man was flying to Chicago Wednesday night from another state.
Kelly, 41, has pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of child pornography for allegedly videotaping himself having sex with an underage girl. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
His attorneys have said he is not on the tape, even noting that the singer has a mole on his back and the man on the tape does not. The alleged victim, now 23, also has denied she is on the tape.Photos: Celebrity Circuit
But a dozen witnesses have identified the same person as the alleged victim who prosecutors claim was a minor when the tape was made. Prosecutors claim the tape was made between Jan. 1, 1998, and Nov. 1, 2000, and that the female participant was born in September 1984.
Earlier Wednesday, a high school basketball coach testified that one of his former players is the young female who appears on the sex tape at the center of the case.
Jacques Conway said he recognized his former player, in part, by a distinctive cross worn by the female participant on the graphic 27-minute videotape. He said he had seen his former player wear the necklace.
Kelly attorney Sam Adam Jr. asked Conway about the alleged victim's character.
"At any time did you see anything that would lead you to believe she would sell her body for money?" Adam asked.
"No," Conway responded.
The man on the videotape is seen handing money to the female participant.
A middle school basketball coach, who said he got to know the alleged victim through some of her friends, also testified Wednesday that she was on the tape.
Although Kelly won a Grammy in 1997 for the gospel-like song "I Believe I Can Fly," his biggest hits are raunchy ballads like "Ignition" and his current single, "Hair Braider." He is scheduled to release a new album in July.
By Michael Tarm
© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Photos: Celebrity Circuit
Author Thomas Friedman on Obama's Afghanistan plan and the war on terror.




