Juror gets call from Tribune marketer

3:14 PM EDT, May 16, 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)

A selected juror in the R. Kelly trial has apparently been receiving calls from someone associated with the Tribune, Judge Vincent Gaughan said today.

The revelation came after the juror, who has an "Impeach Bush" patch on his book bag, called the judge's office and complained.

The judge, concerned that it might have been a reporter for the Chicago Tribune reaching out to the juror -- which would be a violation of Illinois law -- summoned a Tribune reporter covering the trial for questioning.

After hearing the phone number connected to the calls, the reporter suggested it was probably someone trying to sell the juror a subscription. As the judge was contemplating launching an official inquiry, the reporter suggested calling the number.

It was discovered that the source of the calls was a media marketing company that wanted the juror to buy a Tribune subscription.

Azam Ahmed

Friday, May 16, 12:12 PM: Chew on this sticky nugget—judge tells reporters not to gum up the works

First there was the doughnut disturbance, now we've got "Gumgate."

Before issuing his ruling on the media's request Friday to unseal court records in the R. Kelly trial, Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan held up a plastic baggy filled with chewed gum. He announced that a colorful array of spit-out wads was found stuck under the press benches and he was not pleased.

Gaughan was particularly upset because the benches had been refurbished in anticipation of the trial. Well, that and the fact he's probably not a fan of defacement of public property.

"Actually, it's a crime," he said, before jokingly adding: "Don't make me do DNA testing."

Unconvinced that the gum had come from the press, this reporter got down on the floor and looked under the benches, where decades of Double Mint and Juicy Fruit are stuck for all eternity. However, Gaughan later insisted that the pieces in his custody were soft and freshly chewed, suggesting one of my media brethren was to blame.

We've got our suspicions but will hold our tongue--and Big Red--for now.

Stacy St. Clair

Friday, May 16, 11:19 AM: Judge denies media request to unseal hearing transcripts

The judge in the R. Kelly case today denied the media's request to unseal transcripts of four closed hearings held in April.

Local news agencies—including the Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times, Associated Press and Chicago Public Radio station WBEZ—filed a legal challenge to the closed-door hearings and sealed documents in a rare show of unity among competitors.

Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan ruled the secrecy was necessary to give the singer a fair trial. He also indicated that he closed the proceedings to protect the alleged minor victim, a now 23-year-old woman who denies she's the female depicted in the videotape at the heart of the case.

"Time and again, it has been made clear that closure is necessary to protect the minor victim and the defendant's right to a fair trial by ensuring the jury will not be exposed to inadmissible or highly prejudicial evidence,' Gaughan said in the written ruling.

The judge said he would release the transcripts and other sealed court documents at the trial's end. He is also expected to give reporters a copy of the blank questionnaire form that prospective jurors filled out. It has been under seal since its creation.