According to reports, Jim DeRogatis, the Chicago Sun-Times reporter who received the pornographic videotape at the center of the R.Kelly trial and turned it into authorities thus sparking Kelly‘s investigation, refused to answer any questions that were fielded to him on the stand Wednesday (June 4).
Instead, DeRogatis cited an Illinois law that governs reporters’ rights, as well as the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution in response to any question asked. In total, DeRogatis recited the statement more than 12 times, including in response to whether or not he made a copy of the sex tape.
Because the tape in question is said to be child pornography, copying the tape would be considered a crime.
The judge ruled that the reporters’ privileges recited by DeRogatis don’t apply, however, DeRogatis doesn’t have to testify based on his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.
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R.Kelly faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of his crimes.
