CHICAGO (CN) - A judge in the R. Kelly child pornography trial has threatened to have a Chicago Sun-Times reporter arrested, the Associated Press reported. Jim DeRogatis, who came into possession of the sex tape that is central to the case, allegedly failed to appear for a hearing regarding his testimony. He is scheduled to testify today.
Cook County Criminal Court Judge Vincent Gaughan told a Sun-Times attorney that he would give him 15 minutes to find something in Illinois law that give DeRogatis the right to defy an order to appear in court. Judge Gaughan ordered DeRogatis to testify today or face contempt of court charges, the Sun-Times reported.
Kelly's attorneys want to ask DeRogatis how he got the tape that allegedly shows Kelly having sex with an underage girl. According to testimony in the case, DeRogatis claims he got it from an anonymous informant in February 2002.
Judge Gaughan ruled last week that the reporter's actions are not privileged under the First Amendment and ordered him to appear. R. Kelly has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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