The Chicago child pornography trial of R&B singer R Kelly has commenced, with three jurors having been selected Monday, May 12.

Looks like there is no avoiding it this time. The long delayed trial of musician R Kelly, on charges of child pornography stemming from a 15-minute videotape of himself engaging in sex acts with a girl as young as 13, is finally underway.

Jury selection began Monday, with three jurors having been chosen at the end of nine grueling hours. Thirteen others were rejected by the judge, defense or prosecution, reports the Chicago Tribune.

The three chosen are a Baptist preacher’s wife, a business executive and a telecommunications company employee.

The African-American woman lives in Olympia Fields, where Kelly also lives. She said her religious beliefs would not affect her time as a juror. The executive, a white man with two little children, said he does not condone pornography but that he would give Kelly a fair trial.

The third juror, a black male in his 50s, said he does not like seeing pornographic magazines at convenience stores and that he would give Kelly a fair trial.

All 16 potential jurors questioned Monday were asked about their knowledge of the media coverage of R Kelly’s trial and about their views on the fairness of the justice system for people with fame and wealth.

Among those dismissed were a man and a woman who appeared impressed with Kelly’s celebrity, reports the Tribune, as well as a security guard who commented that the singer would have “some explaining to do” if he was on the video.

Jury selection, resuming Tuesday morning, is expected to last a week. The lawyers will pick 16 persons, 12 jurors and four alternates.

Kelly was charged in 2002 with 21 counts relating to child pornography. He was released on $750,000 bail. Seven of the charges were eventually dropped.

He has maintained throughout the years that he is not the man in the video. The prosecution is further challenged by the fact that the alleged victim, a woman now 23-years-old, also denies being in the video.

The 41-year-old singer faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.