First Amendment
Judge Refuses Request for More Openness in R. Kelly Trial
Posted Apr 25, 2008, 07:01 am CDT
By Debra Cassens Weiss
A Chicago judge has refused a media request to open pretrial proceedings in the prosecution of singer R. Kelly on a child-pornography charge.
Judge Vincent Gaughan has ousted reporters from some pretrial hearings in the case against Kelly, who is accused of videotaping himself having sex with an underage girl, the Chicago Tribune reports. The judge has also sealed court documents and placed a gag order on the lawyers and others involved in the case.
Another closed hearing is scheduled for today. "As soon as the trial is over, the press will have access," Gaughan has promised.
Gaughan traveled to California to learn how officials handled the molestation prosecution of Michael Jackson, which was also shrouded in secrecy during pretrial proceedings. Jackson was acquitted in the case. Critics have criticized media clampdowns in high-profile cases as “celebrity First Amendment carve outs,” according to a January 2005 story in the ABA Journal.
Gaughan has maintained “a steel-tight grip” on the case against R. Kelly, the Tribune says. He has banned cell phones and BlackBerrys from the courtroom. In one instance, he jailed a fan who took a picture of the singer during a pretrial hearing.
Related Stories
- Courts in Chicago Struggle to Protect Domestic Violence Victims
Oct 10, 2008, 06:03 pm CDT - Conn. Attorney Bribed & Tampered With His Own Client, Jury Finds
Oct 10, 2008, 03:01 pm CDT - Wavering Client Finally Pleads in John Cusack Stalking Case
Oct 10, 2008, 02:43 pm CDT - As LAPD Search for Teen’s Body Ends, Family Still Struggles With 1968 Murder
Oct 10, 2008, 02:23 pm CDT
Related Topics
Commenting has expired on this post.
Comments
Posted by felonrapperscumgotojailfinally.com - 5 months, 2 weeks, 4 days, 6 hours, 32 minutes ago
R. Kelly’s indefensible acts entitle him to a long stay at a jail of the state’s choice. The delay in his case has made a mockery of our criminal justice system. I for one will rejoice when jurors declare him guilty.