Jury Selection Continues in R. Kelly Trial

By Margaret Lyons in News on May 12, 2008 6:40PM

2008_5_12.rkelly.jpg R. Kelly's long-awaited child pornography trial is officially underway. Jury selection started Friday, resumed this morning and should take about a week, with around 150 potential jurors being screened down to 16 (the standard 12 plus 4 alternates). The judge and lawyers from both sides are questioning potential jurors, asking about impartiality and how much they already know about the case. Also, being a little weird:

[Judge] Gaughan also asked the first prospective juror to look Kelly in the eyes and promise him a fair trial. When the man told Kelly he would be fair to both sides, the singer nodded and mouthed "all right."

Look him in the eye and promise? Is that legally binding? [Trib, MTV, AP]

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