Thursday, 19 June 2008

R Kelly trial: Day 16

Testimony in the R Kelly. child pornography case came to an end today (June 10) after the R&B star told the judge he doesn't plan to testify in his own defence.

Judge Vincent Gaughan told Kelly he had the right not to testify, and Kelly spoke at the trial for the first time, saying "I decided not to testify."

Also, the prosecution learned last night (June 9) that images from the sex tape at the heart of the trial were compressed and lost significant detail when transferred to the DVD that was shown in court.

The judge reportedly made no mention of this when he dismissed the jury until closing arguments begin on Thursday. The accuracy of the video could be significant because part of the defence's arguments revolves around a mole that appears and disappears on the back of the man in the tape.

The defence has said that the man could not be their client because he does not have a mole on his back, as R Kelly. does.

Gaughan asked the prosecution and defence to work together to resolve the matter, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Kelly faces child pornography charges for allegedly videotaping himself having sex with a minor some time between 1998 and 2000.

If Kelly is found guilty of the charges, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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