Opening arguments have been made in the child pornography trial involving US R&B star R Kelly.
A prosecutor at the Chicago trial told jurors Mr Kelly had staged and taped "vile" sex acts with an underage girl.
But a lawyer for Mr Kelly said the video showed neither him nor the alleged victim.
The star has denied filming himself engaging in sex acts with a girl who prosecutors say could have been as young as 13.
In Tuesday's opening arguments, prosecutor Shauna Boliker told the jury they would "see the sex acts he commands her to do".
"Acts you have never seen before. Vile, disturbing and disgusting sex acts, actions that were choreographed, produced and starred in by Robert Kelly."
But defence lawyer Sam Adam Jr said the video was "at best a copy of a copy of a copy".
He said Mr Kelly had a significant mole on his lower back and that the man on the tape did not have the mole.
Mr Adam said neither the FBI nor "a single witness" could identify the man in the tape as Mr Kelly.
Mr Kelly sat grim-faced through the hearing, the Associated Press news agency reported.
The jurors in the Chicago court case were selected from an initial pool of 150.
They include a man who spent five days in jail for marijuana possession and the wife of a Baptist preacher.
Gagging order
On Friday, Judge Vincent Gaughan refused a media request for access to transcripts of any parts of the hearing held behind closed doors.
He also refused to lift a gagging order forbidding lawyers from talking about the case.
The judge said he was not trying to inhibit the press but wanted to guarantee a fair trial.
In 2002, Mr Kelly was charged with 21 counts relating to child pornography and was released on $750,000 (£383,000) bail. Seven of the charges have since been dropped.
Mr Kelly, whose hits include She's Got That Vibe and I Believe I Can Fly, faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted.
The girl, now 23, who is alleged to be in a crucial videotape, says it was not her in the footage.
Source:BBC
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:
Latest Stories
-
Against all odds: Zinabu Issah clinches silver for Ghana at WPA Marrakech 2025
16 minutes -
ASFC 2025: Ghana girls complete host-and-win mission after beating Uganda
19 minutes -
NPL President congratulates new GOC Executives
21 minutes -
Stonebwoy displays maturity amid Aisha Modi’s attacks: a masterclass in brand integrity and respect
35 minutes -
Afro-Arab Group CEO commends Kwahu Business Forum
50 minutes -
CAF President Motsepe vows action against rising stadium violence
57 minutes -
You’ll be prioritised for jobs in next NPP government – Bawumia to dismissed workers
1 hour -
Lola Hair and Beauty College officially launched to promote TVET
2 hours -
Minority condemns sacking of TTH CEO, demands Mahama reprimand Health Minister
2 hours -
Extraordinary photos from the funeral of Pope Francis
2 hours -
Pope Francis laid to rest after Vatican funeral service
2 hours -
Our polling station executives and grassroots are our greatest assets, I thank them – Bawumia
3 hours -
Trump questions Putin’s intentions after meeting with Zelensky ahead of Pope’s funeral
3 hours -
IACG targets 1,000 market traders and artisans in Western, Western North Regions as part 2025 Micro Business Clinics
3 hours -
Ghanaians should be worried about undermining the judiciary – Ex-Deputy A.G.
3 hours