Thursday, 19 June 2008

R Kelly trial: Day Three

Eight jurors were selected today (May 13) in R Kelly.'s pornography trial.

The panel, which will eventually be made up of 12 jurors and four alternates, now has five men and three women, and is split evenly between black and white members.

Making up the panel so far are a teacher's assistant, a married man in his 40s, a criminal justice student, an investment firm compliance officer and a man with prior jury experience, reports the Chicago Tribune.

These jurors join the three others selected yesterday, including a pastor's wife and a self-described Christian.

The juror selection at the Cook County Courthouse in Chicago is expected to take about a week, and the trial itself could last several weeks.

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

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

The Grammy-winning artist is due to release a new album in July.