Media Push for Open Records in R. Kelly Trial

Media Push for Open Records in R. Kelly Trial

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There’s another step in the court battle of two Chicago newspapers to get a judge to unseal court records related to the R. Kelly case.

The Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times want access to sealed court records and court proceedings in the R. Kelly child pornography trial. Today, Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan set a hearing for May 8 so the prosecution and defense lawyers can respond. The daily newspapers had filed an emergency motion this week.

There is a gag order on the case. And the judge has also had closed court hearings with the attorneys and Kelly. Two week reporters were kicked out of the courtroom. Then the doors were locked.

Gaughan said that all transcripts of any in-camera proceedings will eventually be released to the public. Kelly, an R&B singer, has pled not guilty to the 14 counts of child pornography charges.

The trial is set for May 9. There’s another Kelly hearing tomorrow, unrelated to the documents request.