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Connery accused of withholding funds
R&B artist R. Kelly arrives at Cook County criminal court for the first day of jury selection in his child pornography trial in Chicago on May 9, 2008. Kelly is charged with allegedly having videotaped sex with a girl believed to be as young as 13 years old. (UPI Photo/Brian Kersey)
The Chicago Tribune said the juror was removed from the panel Tuesday morning after telling the judge having to spend time away from work without pay would be a financial hardship. The trial is expected to last several weeks.
Judge Vincent Gaughan replaced the juror with an alternate.
Gaughan last week denied the defense's request to dismiss the rape victim from the panel, stating the juror looked directly at Kelly and sincerely promised him a fair trial.
Kelly, a 41-year-old Chicago native, is charged with videotaping himself having sex with an underage girl some time between 1998 and 2000. He has pleaded innocent to the charges but faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The judge warned the media Tuesday that anyone who recreates images from the sex tape, which is expected to be played in court, could be charged with reproducing child pornography, the Tribune said.
Defense attorney Sam Adam Jr. Kelly told the court during his opening statements that Kelly is not the man on the tape.
