Defence begins in R Kelly trial

Mr Kelly faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted

Defence lawyers have opened their case in the trial of US singer R Kelly, calling on relatives of the alleged victim to testify.

Three of the relatives said on Wednesday that she was not the woman on a sex tape at the centre of the trial.

Four other relatives had earlier testified for the prosecution, saying they recognised the woman.

Also on Wednesday, a journalist who received the sex tape refused to answer questions in court.

The tape allegedly shows the musician having sex with an under-age girl - a charge Mr Kelly denies.

One of the defence witnesses to testify on Wednesday said the girl in the video tape was "definitely" not her relative.

She said the body of the woman on the tape appeared to be too developed to be her relative at the time.

Another witness said the alleged victim's family had "pretty much split in half" over the case, with other witnesses having earlier testified for the prosecution.

The defence also sought to discredit prosecution witness Lisa Van Allen, saying her fiance had sought $300,000 (£153,000) from R Kelly in order for her not to testify.

Reporter

During Wednesday's court session Chicago Sun-Times music critic Jim DeRogatis appeared at the trial, having declined to show up a day earlier.

He read a statement more than a dozen times in response to questions, including whether he had made the sex tape, the Associated Press reported.

He cited a local law on reporters' rights and constitutional protections.

Mr DeRogatis gave the sex tape to the authorities in 2002.

Judge Vincent Gaughan said reporters' privileges did not apply, but that Mr DeRogatis did not have to testify based on his constitutional rights against self-incrimination, AP reported.

A defence lawyer said Mr DeRogatis would not be asked about his sources.

Mr Kelly is charged with 14 counts relating to child pornography in connection with a 26-minute video, believed to have been made between 1998 and 2000.

Mr Kelly, 41, whose hits include She's Got That Vibe and I Believe I Can Fly, faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted.