CHICAGO (AP) - An attorney for two newspapers and The Associated
Press says singer R. Kelly's celebrity status doesn't justify news
media being barred from pretrial hearings in his pornography trial
in Chicago.
The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and the AP are seeking
transcripts of closed pretrial hearings and asking that a gag
order on attorneys be lifted.
Kelly's attorneys want more time to respond.
Cook County Circuit Judge Vincent Gaughan (GAWN) set another
hearing on the motion for May 8, a day before jury selection
begins and after any pretrial hearings would be held.
The 41-year-old singer faces charges he videotaped himself
having sex with an underage girl. He's denied the allegations.