R. Kelly Delaying Date With Destiny
Jury selection was set to start Friday in the long-delayed trial of one of urban music's biggest stars.
Grammy-winning R&B singer R. Kelly faces child pornography charges, prompted by a videotape allegedly showing him having sex with a girl as young as 13.
The trial has been delayed for six years and another delay was possible after defense attorneys filed a motion Wednesday seeking to postpone the trial again. Judge Vincent Gaughan could rule on that request Friday.
The reasons for the motion were being kept secret, but it came as publicity surrounding the case heats up and some media speculated about who might testify.
Several Kelly detractors showed up on the courthouse steps Friday, saying they wanted to express support for victims of child pornography. Meanwhile, scores of photographers and cameramen were outside amid tighter security.
Prosecutors will have to surmount several hurdles if they hope to prevail.
Chief among them is that the alleged victim, now 23, says it wasn't her. And Kelly's lawyers -- including prominent Chicago attorney Ed Genson -- haven't admitted it is Kelly in the video.
Kelly, 41, has pleaded not guilty, and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The centerpiece of the trial is the video footage, which Gaughan ruled may be shown in open court.
Prosecutors claim the videotape was made sometime between Jan. 1, 1998, and Nov. 1 2000, and that the girl was born in September 1984. Kelly was indicted on pornography charges June 5, 2002, after the tape surfaced.
It is unclear whether prosecutors have asked -- or would be allowed -- to tell jurors about accusations that Kelly allegedly had sexual relations with other minors, because some of the trial proceedings have been kept secret by the judge.
Media outlets, including The Associated Press, have filed a motion seeking to get court records and hearing transcripts unsealed. Gaughan said Thursday he would rule on that motion May 16.
Once the trial gets under way, it is expected to last at least several weeks.
Although he won a Grammy in 1997 for the gospel-like song "I Believe I Can Fly," Kelly's biggest hits are sexually charged songs like "Bump N' Grind," "Ignition" and his current single, "Hair Braider." He is due to release a new album in July.
Foxy Brown is taking the "rap" for throwing a blackberry at a neighbor.
Less than a month after being released from prison, the rapper pleaded guilty Thursday to menacing charges.
But it looks like she won't have to go to jail this time around.
Brown, whose real name is Inga Marchand, was already sentenced to time served.
2008 Playmate of the Year
Canadian model Jayde Nicole was crowned Playboy's Playmate of the Year for 2008 at Hugh Hefner's Los Angeles mansion on Thursday.
The brunette, 22, says she was not a fan of the men's magazine at firs, but after checking an issue out for herself, she changed her mind.
The model received a 2008 Cadillac C-T-S and a check for $100,000 from Hugh Hefner at a party announcing her win.