Media Denied Access to R. Kelly Trial

(andPOP) - A judge denied media request to get access to sealed documents in the R. Kelly child-pornography trial.

“Of paramount concern is that the defendant gets a fair trial,” Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan wrote. “The torrent of media interest in this case has prompted entry of the order which prevents the serious and imminent threat that this case would be tried in the media.”

Arguing that the public has a constitutional right to observe the court proceedings, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Associated Press and Chicago Public Radio asked for access to records of the closed-door hearings in the case.

Although judge Gaughan acknowledged the need and importance of media coverage in covering criminal justice, he said his ruling is “narrowly tailored” to preserve Kelly’s rights to a fair trial, citing the 2004 ruling in the Michael Jackson criminal case as precedent.

Kelly, who has pleaded not guilty, is charged with videotaping himself having sex with an underage girl.