Judge jails fan in R. Kelly trial
by Kathy Chaney
Real Times News Service
A
woman was held in contempt for shouting "Free R. Kelly" while the
15-member jury in the R&B singer's child pornography trial was
being esorted by sheriff deputies to the courtroom Thursday.
Cook
County Sheriff's Sgt. London Thomas and two other deputies brought the
jury up to the 5th floor courtroom about 10:20 a.m. When they
encountered a crowd of about 15 to 20 people standing close to the
elevator's doors, Thomas told the court.
"I asked twice (for the
crowd to move). As they (jury) got off the elevator, a woman shouted,
'Free R. Kelly,'" the sergeant said, adding that he was looking
directly at the woman, Debbie Triplett, when she said it twice.
The judge was informed about the incident and asked the jury if they heard the woman. All jurors indicated they had not.
Cook
County Circuit Court Judge Vincent Gaughan ordered Triplett held on
$50,000 bail. She is scheduled to appear in court June 25
