Music Critic Predictably Refuses to Testify in R. Kelly Trial
By Jane Ivory
13:33, June 5th 2008
57 votes
Vote this story

The Chicago Sun-Times reporter who failed to show up in court Tuesday at R. Kelly’s child pornography trial, angering the judge into saying he would consider ordering his arrest, refused Wednesday to testify, invoking the 5th amendment.

Jim DeRogatis failed to appear in court as scheduled Tuesday, prompting Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan to tell Chicago Sun-Times lawyers that he would even consider ordering the reporter’s arrest.

Gaughan eventually issued a new order for DeRogatis to appear in court the following day. The journalist lawyers’ said his rights as a reporter would be violated if he were ordered to testify, the Associated Press reported.

Gaughan replied the music critic would not appear “as a reporter” but “as a material witness to a crime.”

DeRogatis is being sought to testify in R Kelly’s child pornography trial as the reporter who in 2002 anonymously received the sex tape allegedly showing the R&B singer engage in sexual acts with an underage girl.

DeRogatis turned it over to the police and R Kelly was subsequently charged with child pornography. He has pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of child pornography. Both Kelly, 41, and his alleged victim, now 23, deny it is them in the video.

Standing before Gaughan today in court, DeRogatis cited an Illinois “shield law” that governs reporters’ rights and the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, the AP reports, refusing to answer questions.

The judge ruled that DeRogatis does not have to testify based on his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. DeRogatis does have to turn over his notes from interviews about the sex videotape.

Kelly’s lawyers previously said they only wanted to ask DeRogatis whether he had made a copy of the tape and then watched it with a family member of the alleged victim. Gaughan had said he would not be asked about his sources.



© 2007 - 2008 - eFluxMedia
Tags: R Kelly
Related Video: R.Kelly acquitted
Share the News:
Del.icio.us Digg Stumble Upon Facebook Newsvine Mixx
dotclear

Other News in

Blogger Kevin Cogill’s Next Years-Not a Bed of Roses

Blogger Kevin Cogill’s Next Years-Not a Bed of Roses

After posting 9 tracks from the unreleased Guns N’ Roses album “Chinese Democracy” on his blog in June, Kevin Cogill is now facing up to three years in prison and $250,000 in fines under a law...

Solange Knowles Knows Not of Good Manners

Solange Knowles Knows Not of Good Manners

Hit singer Beyonce’s younger sister appeared Wednesday on the Las Vegas daytime FOX entertainment show "More" promoting her new album entitled "Sol-Angel & The Hadley St....

The Jonas Brothers Still Rule The Billboard Chart

The Jonas Brothers Still Rule The Billboard Chart

Despite a 72 percent drop in sales from last week, The Jonas Brothers still managed to remain on top of The Billboard Top 10 for a second week in a row, having sold 147,000 copies of their new album...

Sir Paul McCartney to Concert in Israel for the First Time

Sir Paul McCartney to Concert in Israel for the First Time

About 43 years after the Beatles were denied a previously-scheduled concert in Israel, Sir Paul McCartney is about to perform for the first time in the Middle-Eastern country. The singer announced o...

Diamond in a Rough Voice

Diamond in a Rough Voice

“Dear Fans in Columbus, I haven't let you down before and I won't let you down now.” This is how 67-year-old singer Neil Diamond profusely apologized to the audience of his concert held earlier...

dotclear
Latest videos in Music
Will.I.Am sings "Yes we Can"
Music Videos Take a Turn for...
Madonna Kicks Off World Tour
Diddy's Reality Return
Jonas Brothers Rock NYC Apple...

dotclear
Music You are here: Music
» Movies   » Music   » People   
E-mail To A Friend Print RSS Text size: Decrease font size Increase font size
dotclear
Related Video

R.Kelly acquitted

Jun. 13 - The singer R. Kelly on Friday was acquitted of making child porn.

dotclear
dotclear
dotclear
Most Popular in Music
Dr. Dre's Family Devastated By 20-Year-Old Son's DeathDr. Dre's Family Devastated By 20-Year-Old Son's Death

» read full story
dotclear

Interested In This Topic?

News Alert will keep you informed. Find out more.
dotclear
Photos Gallery
dotclear
Today's Latest News
Minnesota's Twin Cities spruce themselves up for convention

» read full story
dotclear