Judge denies motion to delay trial

The judge in Grammy-winning artist R. Kelly’s child pornography case this morning denied a defense motion to delay the trial and ruled that jury selection can begin.

Defense attorney Marc Martin had argued that the jury pool has been ‘‘irrevocably poisoned’’ by a story in today’s Chicago Sun-Times about a Kelly aide allegedly paying a potential witness in exchange for an incriminating tape.

But prosecutors contended it was premature to say the article affected potential jurors and that, if any were tainted, they could be weeded out during the selection process.

The defense also asked Gaughan for a special prosecutor to investigate leaks to the media. The judge said he will rule later on that motion.

The R&B superstar is accused of having sex with a girl as young as 13 on a videotape.

Earlier today, Kelly arrived at a Cook County courthouse, walking straight-faced up a special walkway as raucous onlookers shouted ‘‘I love you’’ and ‘‘R. Kelly’s a pedophile.’’

Kelly, who wore a blue suit and braided hair, did not acknowledge the crowd as he walked with several other people and a videographer.

The crowd at the courthouse swelled throughout the morning.

‘‘That man belongs in jail,’’ shouted Najee Ali, 45 of Chicago. ‘‘We want him prosecuted ... six years has been long enough.’’

Although Kelly won a Grammy in 1997 for the gospel-like song ‘‘I Believe I Can Fly,’’ Kelly’s biggest hits are sexually charged songs like ‘‘Bump N’ Grind,’’ ‘‘Ignition’’ and his current single, ‘‘Hair Braider.’’

He is due to release a new album in July.