In the interest of insuring a fair trial for R&B superstar R. Kelly, the judge in the singer's case has denied a media request for access to sealed documents.
"Of paramount concern is that the defendant gets a fair trial," Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan wrote, as reported by The Chicago Sun-Times. "The torrent of media interest in this case has prompted entry of the order which prevents the serious and imminent threat that this case would be tried in the media."
The Sun-Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Associated Press and Chicago Public Radio have all teamed up in order to get access to the records of the closed-door hearings, citing the constitutional right of the public to be informed. Yet because of Kells' celebrity status, the judges said opening up those documents could actually violate the crooner's constitutional right to a fair trial.
Gaughan cited the 2004 ruling in the Michael Jackson criminal case to back up his ruling.
"If it wasn't for the press, we wouldn't have the type of justice we have today," Gaughan said in court. "Nobody wants to inhibit the press."
The judge said the documents will be opened at the trial's close.
The trial that took six years to come to court is finally set to begin tomorrow, after jury selection came to a close last week. The 41 year-old R&B singer faces child pornography charges for allegedly having sex with a girl as young as 13 and videotaping the encounter. The girl prosecutors believe is in the video however, now 23, denies involvement. Kelly has pled not-guilty and if convicted, and could face up to 15 years in prison.
Source:Sohh
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Finance Minister justifies decision to delay Covid-19 levy removal
5 minutes -
Between me, God, and a PR disaster: The story of a King’s assault, ego and meltdown
8 minutes -
Gyakye Quayson assures cordial collaboration with Ablakwa despite age gap
13 minutes -
Enterprise Insurance launches ClaimXpress – A new digital claims portal to redefine customer experience
15 minutes -
‘I was dropped because I’m Lebanese’: Fadi Daboussi laments missed role under Akufo-Addo
20 minutes -
Finance Minister to present 2026 Budget to Parliament in October 2025
25 minutes -
Samira Bawumia institutes award scheme for SHS students
25 minutes -
Mahama’s gov’t sees Akufo-Addo administration as having played a key role in stabilising the economy – IMF Report
26 minutes -
New AI Community Center opens in Accra as Google unveils $37m in Africa AI commitments
30 minutes -
We will enforce traffic laws to curb accidents- Dorcas Affo-Toffey
32 minutes -
KNUST researchers develop fish sausage and nuggets from Supaku
35 minutes -
From Paper to Planting: Advans Ghana champions Climate Action with 1000 tree seedlings
37 minutes -
Volta NDC hails mid-year budget as catalyst for transformation
45 minutes -
Scandals and Reform in Ghana’s Security Sector: Opportunities arising from Revelations by Ministers for the Interior and Defence (Part II)
47 minutes -
GTEC to prosecute fake honorary doctorate holders
48 minutes