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Jun 3, 2008 7:41 pm US/Central
Kelly Trial Judge Threatens Arrest For Rock Critic
Jim DeRogatis Did Not Come To Court Tuesday; Sun-Times Attorneys Are Appealing Decision He Must Testify
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Chicago Sun-Times pop music critic Jim DeRogatis.
Chicago Sun-Times
The judge in the R. Kelly child pornography trial has threatened to issue an arrest warrant for Chicago Sun-Times reporter Jim DeRogatis.
DeRogatis, the pop music critic for the newspaper, got hold of the sex tape that is at the heart of the trial against Kelly in 2002. DeRogatis was expected to appear in court on Tuesday morning, but did not.
Attorneys for the Sun-Times argued that DeRogatis was not required to appear in court while they appealed Criminal Court Judge Vincent Gaughan's ruling that DeRogatis must testify.
An angry Gaughan told an attorney for the Sun-Times he'd give him 15 minutes to find something in Illinois law that gives DeRogotis the right to defy an order to appear in court. He said he would issue an arrest warrant for DeRogatis.
Gaughan last week rejected arguments that the reporter's actions should be privileged under the First Amendment and that he shouldn't have to appear. The Sun-Times also argued that Kelly's lawyers want to create a "chilling effect" on reporters covering the R&B star.
Prosecutors rested their case Monday, and jurors have the day off.
In addition to his duties at the Sun-Times, DeRogatis also co-hosts the nationally-syndicated rock music talk show "Sound Opinions" on public radio with Chicago Tribune pop music critic Greg Kot.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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