CHICAGO (CelebrityAccess) – A federal judge in Chicago on Wednesday (July 31) barred attorneys from divulging new evidence in R. Kelly’s child pornography case, saying he wants to ensure the celebrity case is tried in court, not in the media, according to The Associated Press.
The R&B singer’s attorneys objected to Judge Harry Leinenweber’s protective order, reportedly saying it was unfair given that Kelly’s accusers had appeared on TV shows and documentaries characterizing the evidence, reports AP.
However, Leinenweber’s order isn’t a gag on all public comments by Kelly’s lawyers. For the moment, they simply can’t speak about evidence not yet released publicly.
Kelly, who did not attend Wednesday’s hearing and has denied any wrongdoing, is currently being held on charges that include coercing minors to engage in sex. Marshals are transporting him to New York for a Friday arraignment on related charges.
Judge Leinenweber indicated that he’d like to aim for an April 2020 trial and is expected to set a date in early September, according to AP.
