Judge allows new witnesses in R. Kelly case

Attorneys on both sides of the R. Kelly child pornography case sparred Wednesday over whether new prosecution witnesses should be allowed in his upcoming trial.

The R&B superstar has pleaded innocent to June 2002 charges that he videotaped a sexual encounter with a teenage girl.

Prosecutors want to add two more witnesses to their list in the celebrity case, which starts in a few weeks.

"We did not know of them before," Assistant State's Attorney Shauna Boliker explained. "They just recently came into our knowledge."

Defense attorney Ed Genson argued that "in this case, we're not prepared for new witnesses."

Cook Count Circuit Judge Vincent Gaughan told defense attorneys they would be permitted to question the potential witnesses, whose identities were kept secret, next week.

"These things do happen; that's why I'm allowing the depositions," Gaughan said.

He acknowledged it was an "extraordinary case," noting it had been on his court call 112 times.

The next court date is April 1.

Authorities have said the girl on videotape with Kelly could be as young as 13.

The Grammy award winner, dressed conservatively in a dark suit, white shirt and gray tie, sat quietly in court and did not speak during his brief appearance in front of Gaughan.

If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.