R. Kelly Arrest Warrant Issued

Posted on December 19, 2007 at 11:16 am (PST)

A judge issued a bench warrant for singer R. Kelly after he did not show for a court hearing today in Chicago.

Kelly’s people said his tour bus was delayed in Utah. The judge in his child pornography case issued the warrant but won’t enforce, unless R. Kelly doesn’t show up tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM. After that the police will be free to arrest R. Kelly.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Cook County prosecutors pressed the judge, noting he had already shown considerable leeway in letting Kelly travel outside Illinois. "This is just an abuse of the process. It’s disrespectful of your honor," said Assistant State’s Attorney Shauna Bolicker.

Kelly has been charged with child pornography, in a widely reported case in which he allegedly videotaped a sexual encounter with a teenage girl. R. pleaded not guilty in the mess, which has been going on since 2002.

Kelly’s lawyer said singer was "detained because of some snow." The judge said a trial date will be set on Thursday. We’ll see about that. In the meantime, someone check and see if it was snowing in Utah yesterday and today.

Update: Police say that R. Kelly’s four tour buses were stopped yesterday, after they were clocked going over 100 mph. After the buses were pulled over, the investigating trooper noticed that the bus drivers seemed “tired.” The policeman then asked for the buses’ log books (with drivers’ rest and drive info) but they weren’t on board or weren’t updated. The buses were ordered taken out of service, and the passengers were left to find their own rides. If R. Kelly doesn’t make it to Chicago by tomorrow the warrant for his arrest with be in full effect. Better hop on a plane, fast.