May 15 2008
R. Kelly leaves court house

R. Kelly Jury is Complete: A Look at the 12 People Selected

Jury selection for R. Kelly’s golden shower trial was completed today. The 12 people chosen are a mixture of eight Whites and four Blacks; four alternates were also selected: two Black, one Hispanic and one White. R. Kelly’s lawyers complained that more Blacks weren’t on the jury. Pointing out that the prosecution challenged (therefore dismissed) half of the Blacks they had selected. The prosecution hit back, saying all of the defense challenges were about Whites.

But it wasn’t all race accusations and tension in the court room.

A 68-year-old Romanian man, said he believes in the justice system and the presumption of innocence.
In his eyes, on day one, the score is “zero to zero.”

R. Kelly mostly scribbled on yellow index cards. I’m guessing the words will turn up in a song in the not to distant future. When the Hispanic guy, selected as an alternate, told the judge that pictures don’t always tell the whole truth, R. Kelly nodded his head in agreement. He’ll be invited to the pool party if R. Kelly skates this.

R- Kelly supporter outside court house

Want the full jury profile? Check The Chicago Tribune’s “Gavel to Gavel”

The quick snip.

THE BIG TWELVE

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.

The Student.
A white woman studying criminal justice in college. Hopes to be a cop someday. Only knows one or two of Kelly’s “old” songs. Appears to be in her early to mid-20s.

The Teacher’s Aide.
A black woman who works at a Catholic school. Says her friends have discussed the videotape at the center of the trial and are split about Kelly’s innocence. Some say he’s the man in the video, others insist it’s not him. Appears to be in her early 30s.

The Chef-in-Training.
A black man who is attending culinary arts school. He says he doesn’t know too much about the case. Appears to be in his late 30s or early 40s.

The Prolific Juror.
A white man who has served on juries in two civil lawsuits. Appears to be in his late 40s or early 50s.

THE ALTERNATES

The Young White Guy.
White male in his 20s who interned at a local radio station and applied to the Chicago Police Department before changing his mind. His uncle has been convicted of child pornography charges. Says he can still be fair.

The Apple Guy.
Young Latino male who works for Apple. Said he knows of the case but can put aside what he knows. Also won’t be upset by graphic images. “A picture can say 1,000 words but facts can/may be different,” he wrote on his questionnaire.

The Retired Deputy.
A 60-something retired Cook County sheriff’s deputy, sailed through questioning. Said she believes in following the rules. Told the judge she doesn’t like porn but can suffer through for the sake of justice.

The Last Woman.
Middle-aged black woman. Neither side had any strikes when the woman entered the jury room, so she answered a bunch a perfunctory questions and made the cut.
—-
Images: (Chicago Tribune)


☼ What's Your Opinion? ☼

1 Someone who likes WOMEN Thu, May 15, 2008 - 9:51 pm

The beginning of the end for this nasty bastard. GUILTY.

2 J-Woo Thu, May 15, 2008 - 10:02 pm

The Business executive who is white shouldn’t be one of the jurors. Not because he is white, but because he already feels that R. Kelly is guilty.

3 Anonymous Fri, May 16, 2008 - 3:22 am

To Someone who likes Women

R. Kelly is Innocent Until Proven Guilty! Leave that man alone and shut up!

4 Someone who likes WOMEN Fri, May 16, 2008 - 9:43 am

To Anonymous
That bastard should have left that teenage girl alone. That nasty f**ker is guilty and I can’t wait to see his ass behind bars. Fuck innocent until proven guilty, that low-life is guilty.

5 www.globalgrind.com/realerthanlife Fri, May 16, 2008 - 2:38 pm

Hey im not trying to take sides but if michael jackson got off with molesting little boys (white ) boys and they had good evidence Kells might beat this but we in the times of Sean Bell, Mike vick, Wesley Snipes, remy Ma ,they might let him go because they locked up alot of stars this year and money talks ask Jacko

6 KEN ADAMS Sat, May 17, 2008 - 10:11 pm

GO DIRECTLY TO JAIL. DO NOT PASS GO. DO NOT COLLECT ANOTHER DOLLAR. JUST GO TO JAIL YOU F*CKING RAPIST. WE NEED TO STOP LISTENING TO THIS NAPPY HEADED BASTARDS SONGS. IN MY EYES HE IS GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT.

7 abc Wed, Jun 01, 2011 - 2:30 pm

stop being a burstard and mind ur own bussiness if u a nt r kelly’s fan stop using ur hatred to jugde him and look at the facts the man is innocenct. i will die loving him.

Name

Comment