Illinois court denies media motion in R. Kelly case

CHICAGO (AP) ? The Illinois Supreme Court has denied news organizations' emergency motion seeking sealed court records and transcripts related to R. Kelly's pornography case.

The court denied the motion without comment Monday. The 41-year-old R&B singer's trial is scheduled to start Friday.

The motion was filed by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and The Associated Press. A request by WBEZ to join the case was denied by the court as moot.

The news organizations wanted the Supreme Court to order the Cook County Circuit Court to unseal the records immediately.

Judge Vincent Gaughan (GAWN) has said he's trying to protect Kelly's rights and prevent information from influencing prospective jurors.

Kelly has pleaded not guilty to charges that he videotaped himself having sex with an underage girl.

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Radio station joins challenge to secrecy in R. Kelly trial

Hearings, transcripts in case still closed

Tribune staff report

April 30, 2008

Following the lead of Chicago's two daily newspapers and the Associated Press, Chicago Public Radio station WBEZ filed a petition Monday asking that court transcripts in the R. Kelly case be unsealed.

Kelly's trial is scheduled to start May 9. The 41-year-old singer is accused of videotaping himself having sex with an underage girl.

Cook County Circuit Judge Vincent Gaughan already has rebuffed a similar request from the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times and the Associated Press by delaying a hearing until the day before the trial is to begin. On Monday, those organizations asked the Illinois Supreme Court to unseal court filings and open the proceedings.

Gaughan indicated Tuesday morning he will send sealed transcripts from closed-door hearings in the case to the Illinois high court for review. In the meantime, the records will remain sealed, he said.

The judge also ruled Tuesday that veteran attorney Sam F. Adam can join Kelly's defense team. The addition won't delay the start of the trial, Gaughan said.