Judge declines to revoke R. Kelly's bond

Chicago -- A Chicago judge reportedly has opted not to revoke singer R. Kelly's bond, even though the singer missed a court date in his child pornography case.

Kelly was charged with 14 counts of child pornography after he allegedly filmed himself having sex with a girl believed to have been 13 or 14 years old at the time. He has pleaded innocent.

Kelly said he missed a court appearance Wednesday because his tour bus was delayed by bad weather, then by police who ordered the bus's driver to take a break from driving.

The appearance was rescheduled for Thursday and when Kelly appeared, Cook County Criminal Court Judge Vincent Gaughan told him, "I'm very disappointed."

Although he must seek permission to leave the state, the recording artist has been allowed to continue his concert tour, a privilege Gaughan implied Kelly abused by failing to show up Wednesday.

"I'm telling you, these are extraordinary matters to have this break given to yourself, and then nobody shows up except your attorneys," Gaughan said Thursday.

Kelly was back in court Friday where he was told his bond would not be revoked, Chicago's WBBM-AM reported.

However, the singer has been ordered to cancel a Jan. 13 concert in Virginia to ensure he won't be late for his Jan. 14 court date.

A Friday night concert at Chicago's United Center was expected to go on as planned.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.