Reporter bucks testimony in R. Kelly case

CHICAGO, May 31 (UPI) -- A Chicago journalist who broke the story about singer R. Kelly's alleged taped sex with a minor was preparing Saturday to fight an order to testify in the case.

Attorneys for the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper will appeal a ruling by a state district judge ordering music writer Jim DeRogatis to testify at R. Kelly's child pornography trial, the newspaper reported Saturday, arguing that forcing the journalist to take the stand would prevent future whistle-blowers from going to media with information about crimes.

It also would violate Illinois' reporters' privilege laws as well as DeRogatis' First Amendment rights, the newspapers' attorneys said.

However, Judge Vincent Gaughan ruled Friday that DeRogatis, who received the tape anonymously, would not be revealing sources if he were to testify for Kelly's defense and so must take the stand, the Sun-Times said.

Kelly denies that it is he and a 13- or 14-year-old female acquaintance shown having sex on the tape, which DeRogatis turned over to police after receiving from a tipster.