Kelly-trial jury selection starts
Attorneys and the judge in R. Kelly’s child pornography trial began questioning 150 potential jurors in Chicago on Monday, asking what they know about the allegations against one of urban music’s biggest stars.
The 41-year-old R&B; singer, known for sexually charged hits such as “Bump N’ Grind,” has pleaded not guilty to charges that he videotaped himself having sex with a girl as young as 13.
Kelly remained poker-faced Monday, appearing at times to scan the faces of the potential jurors and occasionally leaning over to speak with his lawyers.
When the trial begins, prosecutors will face a challenge: The girl believed to be on the videotape, who is now 23, says it wasn’t her. And Kelly’s lawyers -- including prominent Chicago attorney Ed Genson -- haven’t conceded it’s Kelly in the video.
If jurors find the Grammy-winning artist guilty, he could go to prison for as long as 15 years.
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