Friend 'identifies girl in R Kelly video'

By Iain Mackenzie
Newsbeat US reporter in court in Chicago

R Kelly is charged with 14 counts relating to child pornography

A teenager, said to have appeared in a sex tape with the singer R Kelly when she was underage, has been identified by her best friend.

Simha Jamison said she recognised the female because she "knew her like the back of her hand."

She said the girl's distinctive "mullet" hairstyle was one she'd had around the age of 13 or 14.

Ms Jamison also named R&B superstar Robert Kelly as the male featured in the film.

She was giving evidence at a court in Chicago where the star is on trial for child pornography charges.

'Best friends'

The court heard how the 24-year-old had spent most of her teenage years with the alleged victim and thought of them as best friends.

R Kelly had hits like I Believe I Can Fly and She's Got That Vibe

She said the pair would visit R Kelly at recording studios, basketball courts and his gym.

Simha Jamison also revealed her friend referred to the star as her godfather and that he would regularly give her money.

"Depending on the reason she needed it, no less than $100, no more than $500."

Asked by R Kelly's defence team if she had ever witnessed the singer behaving inappropriately, she said no.

Relatives questioned

The court also heard from two relatives of the alleged victim, Bennie Edwards and his former wife Delores Gibson.

Both said they had seen the video tape and could identify both the young girl and R Kelly.

Defence lawyer Ed Genson asked about another relative, Stephanie 'Sparkle' Edwards who previously worked with R Kelly producing music.

He wanted to know if there had been a falling out after Ms Edwards was fired by R Kelly.

"Did you have knowledge that Sparkle's employment was terminated by R Kelly?

"Did you threaten R Kelly in May 2001 about the termination of Sparkle?"

Mr Edwards replied, "No".

Case continues

The prosecution went on to question Delores Gibson, a serving police officer.

Attorney Sam Adam Jr asked why she had not taken the sex tape directly to the authorities when she first saw it in December 2001.

Instead it was sent to a lawyer.

"You know that you should go to the police for justice and a lawyer for money," said Mr Adam Jr.

"The reason that you did not go to the police was because you knew that the tape was a phoney.

"You knew that this was about money and an attempt to extort money."

Delores Gibson replied: "No", claiming that she "took the action that was needed at the time".

R Kelly denies charges of making and owning child pornography. The trial continues.