Porn case against R. Kelly stands

A judge refused Friday to dismiss child pornography charges against Grammy Award-winning vocalist R. Kelly, rejecting arguments that the period in which the offenses were supposed to have occurred was too vague.

Judge Vincent Gaughan of the Cook County Criminal Court said that the 14-count indictment against the 36-year-old entertainer would stand and that “the evidence is sufficient for Mr. Kelly to prepare a defense.”

Prosecutors have a tape showing Kelly having sex with a girl they claim was 14 at the time, which they say was between January 1998 and Nov. 1, 2000.

Kelly’s lawyers had sought to have the charges dismissed, saying the length of the period in which the tape was supposed to have been recorded made it impossible for him to defend himself because he could not give an alibi for any specific date.

Kelly, whose 1996 single “I Believe I Can Fly” won three Grammys, was originally indicted on 21 counts of child pornography in 2002. Some charges were dismissed.

Kelly, who was in L.A. this week for the BET awards, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.