R. Kelly faces music before judge
In the five years since he was arrested on child pornography charges, R&B star R. Kelly has released a handful of albums and, with the court's permission, conquered the nation in multiple concert tours.
The fun could end today.
A Cook County judge will decide this morning whether to revoke the singer's bond -- meaning he'd remain in jail as his case continues its slow trek through the court system -- in light of Kelly missing a court date on Wednesday. Judge Vincent Gaughan also could opt to end the 40-year-old's traveling privileges.
The Grammy winner's current ongoing 45-city album-promoting tour is set to stop tonight at the United Center.
Kelly, who was in court Thursday, missed Wednesday's hearing after his tour bus was stopped in Utah as it made its way from California to Chicago, his lawyers said.
Attorneys said Utah state police stopped the bus for speeding and then -- after spotting a problem with its log books -- required the driver to stop at a hotel and take an hours-long rest break.
Prosecutors on Wednesday urged Kelly's arrest, saying the star is abusing an already incredibly lenient situation.
Gaughan never issued the warrant, but did sternly admonish Kelly for his no-show, telling the star, who stood just feet away from him, that he was "very disappointed."
Kelly is scheduled to be back in court today at 9 a.m.
Gaughan said he'll hear arguments from lawyers regarding revoking Kelly's bond. He also plans to set a trial date.
Kelly faces multiple counts of child pornography stemming from a video of a sexual encounter with a then-teen girl. The girl since told a grand jury she is not the one in the video.
While Kelly wasn't taken into custody Thursday, bailiffs did detain a woman who snapped four photos of the singer with her cell phone.
The woman, 49-year-old Jean Johnson of Chicago, was taken into custody and charged with indirect contempt of court, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Department. She has been in custody since the incident. She will face a hearing today.
Gaughan's decorum order for the Kelly proceedings bars cell phones in the courtroom.