R. Kelly faces possible jail, tour ban

Chicago -- A Chicago judge has threatened to jail singer R. Kelly or ban him from touring as he awaits trial because the singer missed a court date.

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.

The Chicago Sun-Times said Gaughan was to hear arguments Friday on whether Kelly's $750,000 bond should be revoked. A trial date was also expected to be set at the session.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.