Portal
Home
Calendar
Gallery
FAQ
Search
Register
Log inPotential jurors questioned in R. Kelly trial
Potential jurors questioned in R. Kelly trial
by Outspoken on Mon May 12, 2008 5:03 pm
Potential jurors questioned in R. Kelly trial
By MICHAEL TARM
Associated Press Writer
CHICAGO - Attorneys and the judge in R. Kelly's child pornography trial began questioning 150 potential jurors Monday, asking what they know about the allegations against one of urban music's biggest stars.
The 41-year-old R&B singer, known for sexually charged hits like "Bump N' Grind," has pleaded not guilty to charges that he videotaped himself having sex with a girl as young as 13.
Kelly remained pokerfaced Monday, appearing at times to scan the faces of the potential jurors and occasionally leaning over to speak with his lawyers.
The selection of the 16 jurors, four of them alternates, will be key for both prosecutors and defense attorneys, said Steve Cron, a defense lawyer from Santa Monica, Calif., who has practiced for 35 years.
"In a case where a celebrity has good and bad public images, it's critical," said Cron, who has no link to the Kelly case.
It's unlikely the defense could pack the jury with R. Kelly fans, because "the prosecution should be successful in excluding them," he said.
Prosecutors may seek well-educated jurors, which could help their cause if they call technical experts to speak about the videotape, he said.
When the trial gets under way, prosecutors will face a daunting challenge: The girl believed to be on the videotape, who is now 23, says it wasn't her. And Kelly's lawyers — including prominent Chicago attorney Ed Genson — haven't conceded it's Kelly in the video.
Prosecutors say the videotape was made between Jan. 1, 1998, and Nov. 1, 2000, and that the girl who appears in it was born in September 1984. Kelly was indicted on pornography charges June 5, 2002, after the tape surfaced.
If jurors find the Grammy-winning artist guilty, he could go to prison for up to 15 years.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/r_kelly_trial;_ylt=Av5_rNyQY.K3y8kZtRt8ymOs0NUE
(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
By MICHAEL TARM
Associated Press Writer
CHICAGO - Attorneys and the judge in R. Kelly's child pornography trial began questioning 150 potential jurors Monday, asking what they know about the allegations against one of urban music's biggest stars.
The 41-year-old R&B singer, known for sexually charged hits like "Bump N' Grind," has pleaded not guilty to charges that he videotaped himself having sex with a girl as young as 13.
Kelly remained pokerfaced Monday, appearing at times to scan the faces of the potential jurors and occasionally leaning over to speak with his lawyers.
The selection of the 16 jurors, four of them alternates, will be key for both prosecutors and defense attorneys, said Steve Cron, a defense lawyer from Santa Monica, Calif., who has practiced for 35 years.
"In a case where a celebrity has good and bad public images, it's critical," said Cron, who has no link to the Kelly case.
It's unlikely the defense could pack the jury with R. Kelly fans, because "the prosecution should be successful in excluding them," he said.
Prosecutors may seek well-educated jurors, which could help their cause if they call technical experts to speak about the videotape, he said.
When the trial gets under way, prosecutors will face a daunting challenge: The girl believed to be on the videotape, who is now 23, says it wasn't her. And Kelly's lawyers — including prominent Chicago attorney Ed Genson — haven't conceded it's Kelly in the video.
Prosecutors say the videotape was made between Jan. 1, 1998, and Nov. 1, 2000, and that the girl who appears in it was born in September 1984. Kelly was indicted on pornography charges June 5, 2002, after the tape surfaced.
If jurors find the Grammy-winning artist guilty, he could go to prison for up to 15 years.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/r_kelly_trial;_ylt=Av5_rNyQY.K3y8kZtRt8ymOs0NUE
(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
