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Defense wants reporter to testify in rapper trial

Friday, May 23, 2008

By MICHAEL TARM, Associated Press Writer

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CHICAGO — 

A judge says Chicago Sun-Times lawyers have a week to respond to a motion asking for a reporter to testify at rapper R. Kelly's child pornography trial.

The defense wants to call Jim DeRogatis (Day-roh-GAH'-tus) to ask how he got a sex tape in 2002 that's now the center of the trial.

Defense attorneys also want to know if DeRogatis copied the videotape. A lawyer for the Sun-Times says DeRogatis' actions should be privileged under the First Amendment.

The judge says he'll make a ruling May 30th.

Kelly has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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