The trial of R&B star R Kelly was dramatically halted yesterday after the defence announced a mystery witness.
A lawyer for the singer, who faces 14 charges relating to child pornography, told the court an unidentified man had made a telephone call on Wednesday morning to say he had information that may help the defence. Judge Vincent Gaughan adjourned the trial to allow the man to fly into Chicago, where the trial is taking place, from another state. He told the court: "I have no idea what's going on," but said that proceedings would resume today.
The case against Kelly focuses on videotape footage that emerged in 2002, allegedly showing the 41-year-old singer having sex with an underage girl. The girl in question, now 23, denies her involvement.
The prosecution has already called a number of witnesses, including a former employee of the singer who identified the man in the video as R Kelly. The singer, Sparkle, who collaborated with Kelly on the 1998 single Be Careful, identified the girl in the videotape as her niece and confirmed that she was 14 at the time.
Kelly pleads not guilty to all charges and denies that the man in the tape is him. If found guilty, he could face up to 15 years in prison. The case continues.
