R. Kelly trial blog May 15: Jury complete

7:15 PM EDT, May 15, 2008

R. Kelly (left) arrives at the Cook County Criminal Courts Building on Thursday for the fifth day of jury selection in his child pornography trial. (Tribune photo by Michael Tercha / May 15, 2008)

Thursday, May 15, 6:15 PM: R. Kelly gets new look for latest court appearance

When Kelly hopped out of his luxury SUV this morning, the scene seemed like deja vu. There he was in an expensive suit, flanked by bodyguards, scurrying into the courthouse.

But on closer glance, you notice the difference: He got his hair rebraided! He got his edges shaped up and trimmed his scruffy beard into a polished-looking goatee. Yesterday, he looked rough, a couple of weeks worth of fuzz on his braids. And his beard? Well, it had more naps than a preschool.

What gives? The lyrics of his latest single, "Hair Braider," might offer us a clue.

"She braids my hair in the middle of the night. Sometimes it gets so late she spends the night."

So we might have a midnight rendezvous with his hair braider to thank for Kelly's new and improved image. The song, which is on heavy rotation on popular radio these days, is an ode to his hair braider. And judging from Kelly's court appearances, it's a love-hate relationship.

Some days he comes to court looking slick and shiny, offering a glimpse of the R&B superstar alter ego to his criminal defendant status. Other times, he looks like a regular perp someone gussied up for bond court, his suit swimming on him, his shoes scuffed, his braids looking as if they've been chewed at the ends.

Let's just hope that he and his hair braider stay on good terms throughout the trial.

Kayce Ataiyero

Thursday, May 15, 4:54 PM: 12 jurors, 4 alternates selected

So we've got 12 jurors and four alternates. Opening statements will be made 11 a.m. Tuesday, launching us into a weekslong child pornography trial.

Here's a rundown of the people tapped to decide the singer's fate:

*The Romanian immigrant. 68-year-old white man who immigrated to the United States 30 years ago. Knows Kelly is a singer but didn't know the genre. Promised to be a diligent juror. "When I go to bed at night, I want to have a clear conscience," he said. "I'm probably not the smartest guy, but I'll do what's best and fair."

*The athletic trainer. White woman in her 20s. Works for a suburban high school and has a master's degree.

*The college grad. White man who recently graduated from a Midwest university. Has prior convictions for marijuana possession and underage drinking. Too young to remember O.J. Simpson's trial, but said he followed NFL star Michael Vick's dog fighting case.

*The vaguely aware of Kelly guy. White man with only a slight idea of Kelly's celebrity. Said he could put aside whatever he's read about Kelly in the newspapers.

*The business executive. As the father of two young kids, he said child pornography is "as low as it gets." The man, who is white, believes Kelly is guilty but promised to keep an open mind. Appears to be in his mid-30s.

*The pastor's wife. She and Kelly both live in Olympia Fields, though the woman says she hasn't heard much about him. The woman, who is black, is active in the Baptist church. Appears to be in her 50s.

*The Christian. A black man who appears to be in his 50s. Only knows Kelly for the song "I Believe I Can Fly," though he suspects his kids may know more about him. Does not like to see pornographic material on public display.