


The Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in downtown Chicago can be closed Tuesday as a result of an unspecified “operational subject,” federal authorities introduced Monday night in an electronic mail despatched to attorneys.
The closure will delay proceedings in all jury trials, together with that of disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly and two former associates on fees associated to little one pornography and obstruction of justice.
Kelly’s Chicago federal trial was slated to start its fourth week on Tuesday morning, when protection attorneys had been anticipated to proceed presenting their witnesses.
The trial has been on a very tight schedule. Given continued COVID-19 restrictions, just one courtroom at Dirksen is giant sufficient to deal with a multiple-defendant trial, and it’s in excessive demand. If Kelly’s trial lasts for much longer than 4 weeks, it dangers conflicting with subsequent trials slated for that courtroom, which might throw off schedules for months to come back.
A delay of even sooner or later will virtually definitely push Kelly’s trial previous the four-week mark. Protection attorneys have but to name a number of anticipated witnesses, together with co-defendant Derrel McDavid, who was slated to start testifying on his personal behalf Tuesday. Closing arguments are prone to be prolonged, and jury deliberations are at all times unpredictable — particularly given the comparatively difficult fees.
Kelly, 55, faces an indictment charging him with 13 counts of manufacturing of kid pornography, conspiracy to provide little one pornography and conspiracy to hinder justice.
Additionally charged are former Kelly associates McDavid and Milton “June” Brown, who’re accused in an alleged scheme to purchase again incriminating intercourse tapes that had been taken from Kelly’s assortment and to cover years of alleged sexual abuse of underage ladies.
jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com