R. Kelly trial transcripts still sealed

Despite newspaper arguments that the public is entitled to know, a Cook County judge is keeping transcripts of closed pretrial hearings in the R. Kelly case sealed for now.

Attorneys for the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times filed an emergency motion Tuesday asking presiding judge Vincent Gaughan to release transcripts of several recent closed hearings involving the judge, prosecutors and Kelly's attorneys. The Associated Press joined the Chicago newspapers' effort Thursday.

Kelly, an R&B superstar from the Chicago area, faces child pornography charges alleging he made videotapes of himself having sex with an underage girl.

Appearing before Gaughan Thursday morning in Cook County criminal court, prosecutors and defense attorneys alike opposed immediate release of transcripts. They requested more time to respond formally to the news organizations' request.

Gaughan questioned whether the motion qualifies as an emergency and said sealed transcripts of all pretrial hearings will be released after Kelly's trial concludes. Attorney Damon Dunn, representing the newspapers, noted that news, by its nature, requires immediacy.

The judge expressed concern that releasing transcripts too soon before the trial begins on May 9 might "deprive Mr. Kelly of the right to a fair trial."

Dunn later told reporters that under the law, a defendant's celebrity status should in no way diminish public access to court proceedings.

"The public actually wants more information," in those cases, Dunn said. "It would be ironic if we only opened proceedings that nobody cares about it."

Gaughan scheduled arguments on the newspapers' motion for May 8, a day before jury selection is slated to begin.

Because those arguments will not be heard until May, a previously scheduled closed hearing in the case will take place as scheduled today.