R. Kelly wins one in court
Detectives illegally seized photographs allegedly showing R&B; singer R. Kelly having sex with an underage girl, and prosecutors cannot use them to try him on child pornography charges, a judge in Bartow, Fla., ruled Thursday.
Circuit Judge Dennis Maloney agreed with Kelly’s lawyers that Polk County sheriff’s detectives did not have enough evidence to justify a search of Kelly’s Davenport home when they asked a judge for a warrant in 2002.
Prosecutors said they would wait for Maloney’s written order to decide whether to appeal. The assistant state attorney, Chip Thulberry, said if there was no appeal, prosecutors would drop the 12 counts of child pornography against the singer, whose real name is Robert Kelly.
“As I’ve said before, I am confident that when all the facts are brought out, people will see that I’m no criminal,” Kelly said.
The singer also faces 14 counts of child pornography in Chicago and has pleaded not guilty.
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