Chicago press call for open access to R Kelly case

Two Chicago newspapers and the Associated Press have called on the courts to make R Kelly's long pending trial on child porn charges to be heard in public. They have requested access to transcripts of closed pre-trial hearings, and have asked for the gagging order in place in relation to the case to be lifted. They argue that Kelly's celebrity status is not enough to justify a media ban on the case. Kelly's lawyers have asked for more time to respond to the media organisations' demands. As previously reported, Kelly has been charged with videotaping himself having sex with an underage girl. He's denied the allegations, which have taken a very long time to come to court.