May 31, 2008 0:46

Judge orders reporter to testify in R Kelly trial

He rejects First Amendment protection claims

The judge in the R Kelly child pornography case ruled today (May 30) that a Chicago reporter must testify in the trial.

Judge Vincent Gaughan said that Chicago Sun-Times reporter Jim DeRogatis must take the witness stand. The defence intends to question him about how he got a hold of the sex tape that is now at the centre of the trial.

A lawyer from the Sun-Times argued that DeRogatis' actions should be privileged under the First Amendment, but the judge rejected those claims, reports the Associated Press.

Kelly faces child pornography charges for allegedly videotaping himself having sex with a minor some time between 1998 and 2000.

If Kelly is found guilty of the charges, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

The trial is set to resume Monday (June 2).

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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