Prosecutors Add Two New Witnesses in R. Kelly Trial
Date: 03/18/08 | Singersroom News
Filed under: R&B News, R. Kelly
Two new state witnesses in the R. Kelly child pornography case are expected to corroborate prosecutors' claims about the identity of the girl who allegedly was videotaped having sex with the R&B star, sources said.
Cook County Circuit Judge Vincent Gaughan allowed prosecutors to add the two to their list of witnesses in advance of the May 9 trial.
The new witnesses likely will bolster the prosecution's case, which has been challenged by the fact that the girl who allegedly was videotaped having sex with the R&B star has denied being in the video. In January, the judge rebuffed a bid by prosecutors to allow an expert to testify about the girl's denial.
Kelly, 40, was indicted in June 2002 on child pornography charges, accused of videotaping himself having sex with an underage girl. Prosecutors have said the girl may have been as young as 13 at the time.
Sources said both witnesses knew Kelly and the girl about the time the video was made. One witness has worked for Kelly and had met girl. The other was a friend of the girl and had met Kelly, sources said. He faces as many as 15 years in prison if convicted.
The identities of all witnesses are kept secret, according to the judge's order. Both parties also are under a gag order.
Edward Genson, Kelly's lawyer, expressed frustration in court Wednesday, stating that he believed that neither side was allowed to add new witnesses this close to the trial, but did not object to the new witnesses.
Assistant State's Atty. Shauna Boliker said the two new potential witnesses "just recently came into our knowledge."
Attorneys for both sides met privately before the court hearing.
Genson said in court that he already had interviewed one of the new witnesses, who both sides said was from the Chicago area. But he said he had no information about the second person. Gaughan said both sides could question the two witnesses before the start of trial.
The judge called the last-minute request to add witnesses "extraordinary." Although he approved the new witnesses, he said he didn't want to push back the trial, noting that the case has come up on his docket 112 times.
Both sides will be back in court April 1 to discuss jury instructions.
Source: Chicago Tribune
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This is bogus. The judge and the prosecuter are just looking for their 15 minutes of fame. They're trying to make a name for themselves and their using R. Kelly to do it. They should've been threw this case out. R. Kelly said it's not him, the girl is sayin it's not her. Why do they even have a trial? I've heard peoople in the legal field say if he wasn't a celebrity, the chances of this going to trial would be 0%. The judge and the prosecuter are just using this to get their 15 minutes.
so that what god let you no that you cant't do things with young girl.
kelly if you get out of this bullsh@t keep your a#$ out of the publics eye.i hope you do not have any daughters,remember what goes around,cumms around.
Kell's is m man and no matter what,i m down wiv u my dawg forget all dem bulls*** ppl saying bout u but i know that you are not GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT. Keep it real dawg,u shall fly ova dem HATERS at d end of the CROSS ROAD.one true love for ya and for all ya haters,DIE SLOW
it's taking so long because they hvae NO CASE! The girl won't admit it's her, Kells won't admit it's him; they can't take that to trial so they keep tryna build on it to make it happen...waste of time, money, and energy!
All of you who are saying negative things about the R.Kelly situation,shut the f*** up!!! You don't know the half of the situation! I live in Chicago, Have been around R.Kelly with my Daughter and he has never once crossed that line!!! we have been his fans for the last 14yrs!!! Not once has he crossed that line!!! You only see what the Media wants you to see. Don't believe the hype! All of you who watched that sex tape is just as guilty!!! Keep your head up Kels!!! We love you!!!
I think its all unreal. idk if he had sex with the girl or not. ive never seen the tape, but if you think about those who have are just as bad as he is. their watching child pornography. i love kells as an artist and a person. i think he is great. and that thing with Aaliyah (R.I.P) was not that serious she was 15/16 he was like 20 somethin... its irrelavent to mention. her mom shouldnt have allowed her to get married. parents know what they kids do whether kids think they dont or not. all i have to say is KELLS KEEP YO HEAD UP N KEEP WRITIN DEM HITS CUZ IMA CONTINUE TO BUY YO SHIT!! LOL
sorry kitty you sound salty suicide is on the rise in the black community I'm from oakland been in atl since 02 my nephew had two kids in his 8th grade class do this so google black suicide and you will see homie and yes I'm GAY and so happy can you really say you're happy kitty happy with you're life ???? black folks think about it are blacks as a people happy ?? snap foe the..... KIDZZZZZZZ !!!
baby that some bs why do u need to go play with lil girks when u can come over here
thanks...rell you the only one with since he raped her and others this is the only time he got caught..It doesn't matter KIM if she layed down naked with her legs spread eagle he is an adult and he knows if a girl is young or not you can just talk to them and see they are young and vulnerable and of coures they fall for him if R.kelley said you sing sp good I wanna record a record with you ...WHAT!!!! and FUK GAY AZ AFRO ...BLACK FOLKS YOU A STOOPID IGNORANT AZ GAY PERSON I EVER SEEN ...suicide in black are not on the rise that's only in white and since you got so much to say go on PARENTSBEHAVINGBADLY.COM and who is all on there doing sick stuff to their kids WHITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!