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R Kelly 'taped underage sex acts' | R Kelly 'taped underage sex acts' |
(40 minutes later) | |
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. | 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. | 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". | 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." | "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". | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | They include a man who spent five days in jail for marijuana possession and the wife of a Baptist preacher. |
Gagging order | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | The girl, now 23, who is alleged to be in a crucial videotape, says it was not her in the footage. |