After just a few days and 12 witnesses, the defense rested itâs case Monday in the R. Kelly trial. Kellyâs defense team called three relatives of the alleged victim who testified that they did not recognize the female who appears in a sex tape at the center of the case before closing out testimony. Earlier in the trial the prosecution called 22 witnesses over seven days. They included several childhood friends of the alleged victim and four of her relatives who identified her as the female on the graphic, 27-minute video. Kelly and the alleged victim, who both deny being on the tape, never testified. Jurors sat in court for just minutes Monday morning before Judge Vincent Gaughan sent them home, saying they would have to return Tuesday to hear two rebuttal witnesses for the prosecution. Kelly, 41, has pleaded not guilty to child pornography for allegedly videotaping himself having sex with a female who prosecutors say was at young as 13. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. Closing arguments will likely take place Thursday, Gaughan said. A lower-back mole – already the focus of hours of testimony – will again be a central issue during Tuesday’s rebuttal, prosecutor Shauna Boliker told the judge. Source: Chicago Sun Times/AP
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