In this economy, filling up your gas tank and stocking your fridge can be downright painful.

Friday on CLTV, we wrap up our weeklong series "Cash Crunch," with a look at the rising prices of oil and food.

Frugality expert, Christine Walker, will join us live in the studio to answer your questions. She'll also have some tips on where to shop for the best bargains.

We'll take your phone calls and we'll post some of your blog responses, during the show.

You can also participate in the "Cash Crunch" text poll:

Are you driving less due to high gas prices?
Text YES or NO to CLTV 24. That's 2588 24.

Then, don't miss "Cash Crunch," Friday at 5pm on CLTV.

It’s been said a picture is worth a thousands words. If that’s the case, then these two photos of Disney starlet Miley Cyrus are worth at least a million.

Innocent is NOT the word that comes to mind when I look at this picture. This is not how a 15-year old should be portrayed. Save the sex-kitten image for when she’s legal.

Disturbing is the first word that comes to my mind when I look at this picture. It looks more like a sick “older man-under-aged girl” relationship rather than a father and daughter chillin’ out.

The photos have caused quite a stir. Part of the outrage has to do with the squeaky clean image Miley has tried to project. Not to mention, “Hannah Montana” has brought her legions of fans as young as preschool.

Fortunately, Miley has recognized how inappropriate the one is with her and the blanket. She’s apologized, saying she thought it was going to be artistic but now that she’s seen it she’s embarrassed.

It’s the story that won’t go away. Everyday the Barack Obama/Rev. Jeremiah Wright story “grows new legs.” And today is no different.

One lingering and largely unanswered question that looms seems to have finally been answered. Why did Oprah Winfrey leave Trinity United Church of Christ? It’s been widely reported that Oprah was uncomfortable with Rev. Wright’s “hate-filled” message.

Newsweek Magazine reports it’s not that simple.

According to two sources, Winfrey was never comfortable with the tone of Wright's more incendiary sermons, which she knew had the power to damage her standing as America's favorite daytime talk-show host. "Oprah is a businesswoman, first and foremost," said one longtime friend, who requested anonymity when discussing Winfrey's personal sentiments. "She's always been aware that her audience is very mainstream, and doing anything to offend them just wouldn't be smart. She's been around black churches all her life, so Reverend Wright's anger-filled message didn't surprise her. But it just wasn't what she was looking for in a church." Oprah's decision to distance herself came as a surprise to Wright, who told Christianity Today in 2002 that when he would "run into her socially … she would say, 'Here's my pastor!' " (Winfrey declined to comment. A Harpo Productions spokesperson would not confirm her reasons for leaving the church.)

The other reason for her leaving should come as no surprise to Oprah fans.

But Winfrey also had spiritual reasons for the parting. In conversations at the time with a former business associate, who also asked for anonymity, Winfrey cited her fatigue with organized religion and a desire to be involved with a more inclusive ministry. In time, she found one: her own. "There is the Church of Oprah now," said her longtime friend, with a laugh. "She has her own following."

Of course it’s important to point out this is not coming directly from Ms. Winfrey. But if the “sources” are to be believed, political correctness played the biggest role in her leaving Trinity, not Rev. Wright’s preaching.

Information is powerful but only when it’s put into context.

If you haven't heard the news yet, today is my last broadcast. I'm leaving the windy city for the Queen of the Orient.. The Paris of the East.. Better known as Shanghai China.

My husband has been offered a huge opportunity within his company so we (including Jack!) are relocating to China at the end of this month. There are lots of exciting and slightly scary adventures ahead of us but I will truely miss Chicagoland.

I came to CLTV about 3 and a half years ago and it has been a fantastic journey. Between this station and our sister station WGN, I have been privileged to cover some major Chicago news events and it has been a difficult decision for me to leave it.

I want to thank all of our viewers for tuning in to watch over the years, and hope you continue to do so. CLTV is a great place for news whenever you need it and I think great things are on the horizon.
I will miss everyone, but I hope you see me.. and I see you again in the not so distant future.

Good luck to all.. and stay safe.

Amy Rutledge

Finally, after six years, Robert Kelly gets his day in court. Here's video of him walking into the Criminal Courts building at 26th and California about 9:45am this morning:

Check back at cltv.com throughout the day for updated video of his trial. We'll be covering all the twists and turns now that the way has been cleared for jury selection to begin.

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Vincent Gaughan today denied a defense motion to again delay the trial in which the R&B superstar is accused of having sex with a girl as young as 13 on videotape.

Here are two stories on R. Kelly by CLTV's Randi Belisomo. The first one is on the legal challenges facing the prosecution and defense, the second is on his career since his indictment:

For an updated photo gallery, check out http://chicagotribune.com/rkelly

Potential jurors in the R Kelly kiddie porn trial should prepare for some uncomfortable questions today, as the first round of jury selection begins.

They'll likely be prodded about their views on pornography, and whether they've been or if they know victims of a sex crime.

Judge Vincent Gaughan hopes to get through the 150 possibles at a rate of 20 per day until 12 are seated and four are picked as alternates.

Simply put, this may take awhile........as has seemingly every aspect of the six-year old case.

Experts say prosecutors are looking for "law and order" types, those who believe in the rules and that everyone should follow them. As for the defense, they may be seeking a diverse bunch, folks of various personalities who can't agree enough to render a guilty verdict.

During this part of the proceedings, Judge Gaughan is keeping the media as minimal a presence as possible. Two pool reporters are allowed to observe- one local, one national. Yours truly will be alternating with others, sharing notes and observations.

Randi Belisomo, CLTV reporter

Defense attorney Eddie Genson may be crying foul over the loss of potential African-American jurors in this child pornography trial, but two of the three still standing after Monday's questioning are black.

When Judge Vincent Gaughan failed to complete the questioning of all 20 potential jurors called in today, he dismissed the four who remained....two of whom were African-American. He promised to call them back only if the remainder of the 150- person pool was exhausted.

Being cooped up in a courtroom can offer the best opportunity for people-watching. Here's who was seated at the end of the day:

1) A 30ish white male and father of two, who holds an office job in the executive ranks. He listens to NPR and reads the Chicago Tribune, while his wife enjoys US Weekly. He says he believes the justice system can be biased against minorities, but looked Kelly in the eye to promise he could give him a fair trial. He told Judge Gaughan he believes child pornography is "as low as it can get," to which Gaughan replied that no one here condones such action.

2) A 50ish black female who hails from Olympia Fields, Kelly's hometown. She says she hasn't heard much about the case, but has seen it in the newspapers. She's married to a pastor, who is also the president of a national Baptist organization. Though one member of her congregation has been convicted of murder, she says the judicial system is "fair in most instances." She promised Gaughan she would judge by the laws of man, not by the laws of God.

3) A 50ish black male, who works in telecommunications and reads the Chicago Tribune and CNN online daily. He describes himself as religious and attends the Christian Life Center. His opinion on porn he summed up with the following: "I'm a Christian. I don't like going into 7-11 and seeing it." He has heard of Barry Hankerson, Kelly's former manager, but says he knows little of the R & B singer's reputation. He does say he has heard of his 1996 hit, "I Believe I Can Fly."

Now they just need to decide on nine more plus four alternates. Watch here for more updates.

Randi Belisomo, CLTV reporter

Get a dose of Chicago MMA on CLTV. Combatwire launched last week to rave reviews. Don't miss any of the action as Felice and Jim take you through the world of MMA in Chicagoland. Watch the show every Tuesday and Friday nights at 10pm and midnight ONLY on CLTV.

Want to learn more about Jim, Felice, or any of the stories you see in the show? Go to combatwire.com for news, behind the scenes photos, and video clips.

As always, if you have something to say about the show, we want to hear it! Just make sure you keep it clean or you won't see your opinions in print.

Now, for the good stuff! Watch the video below and see Felice Herrig challenge Gideon Ray to a dance-off.

No one believed it would be easy, but the logistics of covering this trial are sending some reporters over the edge.

"It's simply maddening," said ABC 7's Sarah Schulte of Judge Vincent Gaughan's eleven page court order, one we the media signed off on - promising to behave. He's long known this trial could spiral into a media circus, and he's determined to control the chaos.

What does that mean for me? Lots.

Let's start from the beginning.

Walking into the courtroom after two rounds of security checks, I carry only four pens and two pads of paper. Where you ask, is the TV reporter's requisite kit of blackberry, brush, lipstick and liner? Packed by the pound in my oversized purse, stuffed as discreetly as possible under the passenger seat of my car.

Nothing- not even a jacket is allowed into the iceberg that is Courtroom 500, a manifestation of Cook County's storied waste in its overpowering use of air conditioning on a morning where temperatures hovered in the 40s.

"Sit up straight! No leaning!" admonishes a sheriff's deputy to a colleague slouched in our church-like bench. I've been more comfortable in a pew while attending High Mass in Vatican City. At least at St. Peter's, you're allowed a trip to the restroom. No such luxury here, where those visits are confined to our lunchbreak, 20 minutes in all.

That leaves little time to sprint to my sport utility vehicle, in which I rise to Olympic status with my speed in scarfing down a turkey sandwich.

Back to court, back to the rules

Randi Belisomo, CLTV reporter at the R. Kelly trial

Add shoes to the list of things that will soon cost more.

The Wall Street Journal reports the combination of higher production costs in China (85% of shoes sold in the U.S. come from there), higher gas prices and the weak U.S. dollar are to blame.

One analyst estimates we will be paying 10% to 15% more for shoes in the coming year.

This hurts! Buying shoes are my escape. There’s nothing like a nice pair of leather pumps or strappy sandals or 3” heels to make you feel better. Buying shoes is one of my few stress relievers that doesn’t make me feel guilty afterwards, like eating and drinking.

By my count, we are now paying more for gas, food, airline tickets, prescription drugs and property & sales taxes. Not to mention most people can’t get mortgages because of the credit crunch created by the housing mess.

Hopefully the old adage of “what goes up must come down” applies here. If not, what’s next?

Though Judge Vincent Gaughan's eleven-page decorum order details dozens of don'ts for we the mischievous media, I can't find anything in there about donuts. But that didn"t stop one sheriff's deputy from threatening WJMK's Brendan Greeley with the revocation of his court credentials, after what was intended as only a "kind gesture" by the young reporter early this morning.

Here's how it all went down.

This sad saga started yesterday when one deputy was kind enough to alert Greeley of R Kelly's imminent arrival. Greeley, who works for the Steve Dahl show, told his boss how nice everyone here at "two six" was treating the press.

Dahl suggested that, as a thank you, he should bring Dunkin' Donuts to the deputies today.

"So we sent over a cute intern," Greeley recounted, "with about two dozen....glazed, chocolate, powdered, and peanut."

Sounds like a nice mix, right?

Not so fast.

When Greeley offered them to those working outside of this jailhouse of a courtroom, only one employee took him up on the breakfast treat.

Another responded with this: "You're distracting the officers. This is your warning. Next time you'll get your credentials taken away."

Word in the courthouse corridors is that someone in the higher-ups (Sheriff Tom Dart perhaps?) heard the banter during the morning drive over the airwaves, and wanted to squash the possibility of any stunts.

Looks like there could be a "hole" in the reasoning.

Randi Belisomo, CLTV reporter at the R. Kelly Trial

It's almost as certain as death and taxes.

It's jury duty, a civic duty they say, and tell the truth.......that duty has never ranked too high on your "to do" list.

So here are some sure fire ways to get off, taken from actual interviews with potential jurors this week behind the closed doors of Judge Vincent Gaughan's rear chambers.

Read them once, read them twice, whatever you do- commit them to memory. They're direct routes to dismissal.

1) You know too much
Familiarity with the subject matter is deadly to both defense and prosecution teams alike. This young lady could choose the express delivery option back to her position at the post office: "I know R Kelly is the Pied Piper," she responded when asked what she knows about the R & B singer's music. Just for emphasis, the expert knew to add: "He and Jay-Z don't get along."
Looks like attorneys will be getting along without her.

2) You know too little
This man never had a chance, but added levity at the end of another long day. "R Kelly might have led the Taliban to attacking the U.S. on 9/11 but you can't prove it," he offered near the top of his questioning.
He's outta here.

3) You're a know it all
In a fit of honesty, one tough guy blurted, "better lawyers will go where the money is, the others go to the state." Ace prosecutor Shauna Bolliker blushed, apparently prompting Slick to add, "no offense to you guys."
Not real smooth, but he's sailing home.

4) You don't know what you know
Sometimes your confusion can make others uncomfortable. When asked his opinion on child porn, one member of the jury pool pondered, "sometimes the age difference, it gets kind of muddy when it comes to what's right or what's wrong........like when they're in love."
He now has plenty of time to think that one through.

5) You don't know when to shut up
One woman in her late 60's regarding her opinion on pornography: "I know men like it. I know when I got married my husband (now 76) liked it."
Ahem, next.

6) You know an attorney
One woman wrote the following on her questionnaire: "I believe Mr. Kelly is guilty of the charges due to what I have read in the paper, and the fact that he was indicted by a grand jury further validates my belief."
Who came up with that????

7) You know God
Claim you're a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses. It's an automatic out, as the religion prevents members from passing judgement.

More to come after today's proceedings. Who knows what can happen.

Randi Belisomo, CLTV reporter at the R, Kelly trial

It never ceases to amaze me that in 2008 we are still talking about “firsts.” Barack Obama, the first black man to run a viable presidential campaign. Danica Patrick, the first woman to win an Indy series race.

Now come word of another first.
Joshua Packwood, the first white valedictorian of Morehouse College.

For those of you not familiar with Morehouse, it’s an all male historically black college. Of course, Packwood is not the first white student to attend Morehouse nor is he the first to graduate. But never in its 141-year history has it ever had a white student to essentially be named the “crème de la crème” of its student body.

The Associated Press reports Packwood has been a standout since his first day at Morehouse.

His popularity got him elected dorm president as a freshman. His looks and physique made him a fashion-show favorite. His intellect made him a Rhodes Scholar finalist. His work ethic landed him a job at the prestigious investment banking firm Goldman Sachs in New York City.

What makes this story all the more refreshing is that Packwood chose Morehouse over Columbia, Yale and Stanford. He says, "I've been forced to see the world in a different perspective, that I don't think I could've gotten anywhere else." Packwood points out "None of the Ivies, no matter how large their enrollment is, no matter how many Nobel laureates they have on their faculty ... none of them could've provided me with the perspective I have now."

On May 18 the 22-year old from Kansas City, MO will graduate with a perfect 4.0 GPA and a degree in economics.

You go boy!

So you think you're in good shape? See if you can keep up with Felice Herrig as she takes you through one of her circuit training techniques. Click below.

Like what you see? Watch Combatwire only on CLTV at 10pm and Midnight Tuesdays and Fridays. It's the only place to find the latest local MMA action. Join Jim and Felice as they break it down with the sport's hottest stars as well as Chicago up-and-comers. Don't miss it!

Hello to you, this is Sean Lewis. Thank you for taking the time out to read this post.

Friday at 10am, CLTV begins airing NIU: Together Forward.

It's another look at how the shootings at Cole Hall February 14th touched the lives of students on campus.

This isn't just a look back at the events from that day.

This program is a look forward at how a small group of students lives were changed because of the tragedy.

We worked closely with student journalists from NIU's Northern Television Center, the student newspaper "The Northern Star" as well as a sit-down interview with the president of NIU, John Peters.

It takes a different look at what happened that day... a new perspective from the eyes of students who were inside the classroom and outside, documenting the response by school officials and emergency personnel.

I hope you are able to watch and appreciate the efforts of these students and leave your thoughts on the show.

The half-hour special airs at:

10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Friday May 16th,

2 and 8 p.m. Saturday May 17th

10:30 a.m. and 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday May 18th

This weekend is NIU's graduation weekend.

Here are the clips of the program, if you can't see it on television:

Yesterday I showed you seven ways to shun jury duty.

Now I'd like to share a scenario in more detail- the story of one young man who didn't get selected for the trial.

The following has been edited in length and recounts the questioning and dismissal of one prospective juror who allegedly listed "pot smoking" as a hobby.

Yours truly and a colleague from Entertainment Weekly observered this exchange as designated "pool reporters," (Judge Vincent Gaughan allows only two in the jury room) and we then shared our notes with the rest of the waiting media.

The action begins as the young, white, scruffy male strolls into the questioning area. Hands in his jeans, sweatshirt drooping, he plops down into his seat.

Juror #75: "Hey."

Gaughan: "Hello number 75, we're going to call you by your number, we don't mean to be rude, it's to protect your anonymity."

#75: "k."

Gaughan: "We see here on question 110A, you wrote you have seen the sex tape involved in this case."

#75: "Yeah, I saw the video, or parts of it, on the internet."

Gaughan: "Well, what we need to know is if you can remain impartial on a case involving child pornography."

#75: "Yeah."

Gaughan: "Well, do you have any opinion on the innocence or guilt of Mr. Kelly?"

#75: "He's innocent."

Gaughan: "Now why do you say that?"

#75:"The female in the video is one year younger than I am, and at that age I was well aware of my sexuality."

Gaughan: "We don't need any details, sir, but you do understand that's not the issue here? If you're selected for this case, you're not allowed to absorb any media coverage of it. But here on your questionnaire, I see you have a problem with that."

#75: "Yeah, if I can remember to."

Gaughan: "So you're forgetful, are you?"

#75 "Yeah, like in school and stuff."

Gaughan: "Do you have any physical condition that may be to blame?"

#75: "Nah, just forgetful."

Gaughan: "Well do you have any reservations serving on this jury?"

#75: "I think the trial would be unfair no matter what happens, because of the media."

Gaughan chuckles and darts a look at CLTV reporter with eyebrows raised, then

Gaughan: "There's nothing I can do, believe me, to keep the media out. Nothing. I swear to god."

#75: "If it was a Joe Blow this would have a stronger chance not be a trial and not be reported."

Guaghan: "Well, I see that you're unemployed."

#75: "It would be difficult to get here, and I'd be running out of money."

Gaughan: "Do you have an automobile?"

#75: "No sir, so it takes me two to three hours to get here."

Gaughan: "I see you wrote 'I would have to walk many miles to a train station to get downtown, where I am unfamiliar.'"

#75: "If I got a ride everyday to the train, it would be easier."

Gaughan: "Um hum. I see here on your questionnaire that you have a problem with the race issue."

#75: "Yes. I've had a lot of mistrust with different races."

Gaughan: "Could you elaborate?"

#75: "Some of my friends are of a certain race and some are of another and the ones of another I just can't trust what they say."

Gaughan: "Not to create any malice, but what races are you talking about?"

#75: "Mexicans, Irish, Italians, blacks, and Hawaiians."

Gaughan: "Hawaiians?"

#75: "Yeah."

Prosecutor Shauna Boliker signals defense attorney Eddie Genson and shouts , "Eddie!"

"Oh, Oh," Genson replied. "I thought you liked him." (jokingly) The exchange prompts Gaughan that no progress was made in adding to the jury pool here, and dismisses the young man.

Gaughan: "Sir you're now excused, why don't you go sit in the jurors box for the time being and have yourself one of our snacks. Have a bottle of water, and since you're not working, take a couple bottles of water."

#75: "Thanks."

Closing arguments begin Tuesday. Stay tuned.

Until then, Randi Belisomo, CLTV reporter covering the R. Kelly trial

We've spent the weekend waiting and now we're almost there. It will have been five days since Judge Vincent Gaughan has seated his jury, and prosecutor Shauna Boliker and defense attorney Eddie Genson are now set to square off.

Opening statments in this kiddie porn trial will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Courtroom 500.

"That will be among the most important parts of this trial," said jury consultant Steven Merican. "It's when the jury will hear for the first time what the expected evidence will be, and they will hold the lawyers to their word on what the evidence is going to show."

That said, here are three things to expect from the two attorneys, well-seasoned in the art of persuasion.

1) Short and sweet
Though the average adult's attention span may stretch to 20 minutes max, mix in a straightbacked chair and a dark, gloomy courtroom and the mind is sure to wander.

"That's why you see a lot of lawyers going to shorter statements, trying to spice up what they show jurors with all types of demonstrative aids," Merican said.

Given the nature of this case, I don't know how demonstrative those aids need to be...but they certainly could attract our attention.

2) No overpromising
Jurors will hold attorneys to the case they lay out in openings, so if either side fails to meet expectations, that failure could equal disaster.

"If the lawyer says we expect the evidence will be A, B and C, and after three or four weeks of trial they don't come back with A, B and C, that's going to be a real negative when the jury goes back and deliberates," Merican said.

Defense attorney Joe Lopez, who represented mob hitman Frank Calabrese, Sr. in the "Family Secrets" trial, sets the bar even lower.

"I don't think Mr. Kelly's attorneys are going to promise the jury anything," he said.

3) Straight talk
Don't look for any lawyer-ese here, because you won't find it. As opening statements are often seen as a "roadmap" for the remainder of the trial, that roadmap must be relayed in the language of the jurors.

"It's the old Abe Lincoln saying," Merican said. "Tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em, tell 'em, and then 'tell em what you told em."

(Kinda reminds me of TV reporter talk!)

I sat through four days of juror questioning and will have witnessed opening statements in the trial first-hand. So, if there's anything you would like to know about the action inside the R and B superstar's court proceedings, feel free to fire away.

I'll be on hand to take your questions along with our own Sean Lewis Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.,
as I like to say, after all the shoutin's over.

Call in at (630) 575- TALK......we'll get to just as many as we can.

Remember, you can always email me at rbelisomo@tribune.com

It's now been said in open court and it's mentioned 14 times in R Kelly's 14-count indictment.
I'm talking about the name of the girl allegedly involved in the now infamous sex tape- the name of the girl who says it's not her.

We in the media typically don't reveal the names of rape victims, or children involved in cases such as this, for that matter. But the girl who prosecutors say is on the tape has now grown into a young woman, 23 years of age. This young woman says she was never filmed with R Kelly, and it now appears she won't be testifying for either side in this trial.

My question to readers is: should we continue to protect her identity? The woman says she's not a victim, and she denies any involvement in the actions filmed on the 27-minute video.

Defense attorney Sam Adam, Jr. had this to say in court Tuesday regarding the female named in the indictment:

"{Name here} is as sweet, as nice, and as lovely a person as there is," Adam said, going on to describe the South Side resident as petite and often-smiling.

That's all those outside the courtroom know....do you think you should know more?

Listen up all you R Kelly fans....and curious court-goers. It's about to get a lot easier to watch this celebrity trial unfold. Judge Vincent Gaughan asked the media personally if we could pass the following along to you.

Starting next week, all you have to do to enter the spectator lottery is show up at the Criminal Courthouse at 9 a.m. the day you wish to attend. Previous rules required you attend a lottery at 1 p.m. the day before.

Court starts every day at 11 a.m.....so you'll have two hours to anticipate the star of this show's arrival.

So who caught the cover of this morning's Chicago Tribune? If you did, you saw a courtroom sketch by artist Cheryl Cook, a drawing that apparently depicted jurors in too much detail for Judge Vincent Gaughan.

He permanently revoked Cook's press credentials before proceedings began this morning, citing the 11-page court decorum order. That's the one we the media signed off on, promising to abide by Gaughan's carefully-crafted, celebrity trial rules.

"No sketch artist shall capture the image of any juror summoned for jury duty or selected for jury duty," the order reads.

Did Cook go too far? Could you identify those on the cover of today's paper as friends, colleagues, or neighbors?

Let me know what you think.

Image is everything when it comes to politics. Everything you say, don't say, do and don't do is scrutinized ad nauseam. That also goes for the politician's other half.

Take these two ladies for example, Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain. We know they are the wives of the presumptive presidential candidates of their respective parties. But for the most part, we don't know much else. We’ve heard a few sound bites from them and have maybe read a few articles about them.

Then there are the photo spreads.

In these two pictures, it looks like they are trying to let the photos tell who they are or at least who they want to be seen as. And as you can tell they are projecting very different images than they do on the campaign trail.

Both were photographed for Vogue magazine. Michelle Obama in September of '07 and Cindy McCain for the June '08 issue.

In one picture, McCain is chillin' on a chaise lounger, with her hair down, wearing jeans, no shoes and red polish on her toenails.

The Washington Post writes "the implied message is unmistakable: I am not a Stepford wife."

On the other hand, Obama is shown in a more formal, classy pose. She’s in a little black dress with pearls and pumps. The Post believes "the implied message is unmistakable: I am neither subversive nor threatening. I am not some scary 'other.' I am Camelot with a tan."

The Post surmises "McCain’s image aims to excite the eyes. Obama’s offers reassurance."

Just goes to show you, pictures do speak louder than words.

In Gaughan's court, it's apparent you have to grovel.

Yesterday, you read here that the judge permanently revoked Chicago Tribune sketch artist Cheryl Cook's media credentials after she depicted jurors in too much detail to fall within the boundaries of Gaughan's eleven-page court order.

Attorney Samuel Fifer appeared today in Courtroom 500 on Cook's behalf, arguing before the judge that her drawing was "an inadvertent slip." Fifer cited Cook's newness to the proceedings and asked Gaughan to give her a second chance.

"The privacy of the jury was compromised," Gaughan said, citing the first of many issues surrounding the situation that upset him.

Before the trial began, Gaughan held a series of meetings with members of the media in order to discuss his rules. He said that among those in attendance was Tribune associate subject editor Matt O'Connor- a "talented" one at that, Gaughan added, "who didn't get there by a favor."

Gaughan also cited young Tribune reporter Azam Ahmed, whose press credentials were stripped last week for 36 hours after he was spotted interviewing a member of the public in the courtroom. That's a goof-up, as far as Gaughan goes.

But, Ahmed got his credentials back, something it doesn't appear Cook will be able to do.

Why?

Ahmed said he was sorry.

"I haven't seen any personal responsibility taken in writing or anything by Ms. Cook," Gaughan told Fifer, who appeared sans client.

Gaughan commands contrition. Looks like Cook should paint herself sorry.

As Kelly's defense team continues its pursuit of Sun-Times music critic Jim DeRogatis as a key witness, they threw a real curveball this morning.

They called for DeRo to be charged with a felony.

"This is a man who decides to take a tape to police, keeps a copy, and then writes articles about it," said Marc Martin, who has so far been unsuccessful in placing him on the stand.

DeRogatis is responsible for breaking the story after receiving the now infamous sex tape from an anonymous source in 2002.

"What happened to that videotape in the time prior is critical to our defense," Martin argued, who will likely continue on that strain in hopes of causing jurors to wonder if DeRo could or would have altered it in any way.

"I don't know what they're arguing," said Sun-Times attorney Damon Dunn. "It seems like they're arguing whatever is convenient."

If DeRo should be charged with possession of kiddie porn, that makes the female on the tape a kid, right?

"It's an oxymoron," Dunn responded when asked about the defense team's strategy. "They would much rather try a reporter than their own defendant."

Dunn said he believes DeRo's actions should be privileged under the first amendment.

Judge Vincent Gaughan will rule on the motion for DeRo to testify on May 30th.

What do you think?

She did it, and sure enough, it worked.

Tribune sketch artist Cheryl Cook sent an apology letter to Judge Vincent Gaughan to say she regrets depicting jurors in too much detail on the cover of last Wednesday's paper.

Now Cook is back where she belongs, on bench two in Courtroom 500.

Gaughan called her actions a violation of his eleven page court decorum order, as well as an unfair advantage over other sitting artists.

"I read your letter, and I was impressed by it," Gaughan told Cook, who was present for this morning's hearing. The judge had expressed concern over the fact that she didn't show for the last.

"The security, the safety, and the privacy of the jury are very paramount," Gaughan warned, reminding her that jury service is the only one to which American citizens can be drafted.

But after two weeks in the former Army lieutenant's courtroom, it feels like we've all been through Basic Training.

Randi Belisomo, CLTV reporter covering the R. Kelly trial

Is it a bob, or is it a mullet?

That seemed to be the question of the day, centering on the alleged victim's hairstyle sported in the now-infamous sex tape.

For the past week, witness after witness has testified they know the female by the distinctive "mullet" she wore during the summer before she entered high school.

It all started with Simha "Punky" Jamison, the alleged victim's best friend until the two were about 18-years old.

"I kind of know her like the back of my hand, but mainly because of the haircut she has," Jamison testified, going on to describe the so-called "mullet" as short on the top and long in the back.

Longtime basketball teammate Aubrey Hampton continued along that "strand," pointing to that distinctive 'do the alleged victim donned "around the age of 13 or 14."

Even her aunt, Stephanie "Sparkle" Edwards, cited the mullet in her blockbuster-worthy witnessing, testifying: "You know your blood. She's my niece. I know her face. I know her hairdo. There's no denying it."

So it was settled. A mullet it remained, until today.

That brings us to the testimony of Tjada Burnett, a longtime friend of the alleged victim's family. She described the female's style as being a "bob."

"Round you know, like a mushroom," she told defense attorney Sam Adam, Jr., who along with the rest of Courtroom 500, showed visible signs of confusion.

"So it is not, you say, a mullet?" Adam asked.

"I never said anything about a mullet. I said it was a bob," Burnett quipped.

So what is it?

I've long thought of a mullet, as have many of you, as a man's style- "business in the front, party in the back," I believe the saying goes. I've seen it sported by many a Tennessee trailer park resident, a number of players in the NHL, as well as by pinstripe-law firm Winston and Strawn's Tim Rooney- he helped defend Gov. George Ryan.

Merriam-Webster defines a mullet as "a hairstyle in which the hair is short on the sides and top and long at the back."

As for the bob, I think I've had a few. Perky, young, and preppy- I've thought of it as a woman-only coif, carried off by not only many a carpool-driving mom, but by Katie Holmes, Anne Hathaway, Madonna, and surely every 1920's flapper.

Merriam-Webster makes it clear, calling it "a short haircut on a woman or child."

So can a woman wear a mullet?

Let's "cut" to some debate. Let me know what you think.

When Judge Vincent Gaughan noted that the defense team was using their strikes on white males during jury selection, attorney Eddie Genson quipped, "I don't look at people like that, I see one color."

They say justice is blind, and today it seemed as if one witness for the prosecution- like Genson- is colorblind too.

When Pastor Jacques Conway took the stand this morning to testify about the year he coached the alleged victim on the Oak Park and River Forest sophomore basketball squad, he was asked to point out the defendant in the courtroom.

He gestured towards R. Kelly, who was flanked by attorneys Eddie Genson and Sam Adam, Jr.

"He's the African-American man, seated between the two white gentleman," Conway said.

Adam, Jr. chuckled.

Adam, Jr., the son of legendary defense lawyer Sam Adam, Sr., is of mixed race.

"I mean, he's seated next to one white gentleman," Conway quickly retorted.

When it came time for Adam, Jr.'s cross-examination, the attorney came across characteristically cordial.

"Good morning, Pastor," he said to Conway, a former Oak Park police officer.

"I'm sorry for the misidentification," Conway said sheepishly.

"Not at all, Sergeant," Adam, Jr. replied.

He thought he had a shot at the big time, but he blew it.

An attorney who claims to manage- I quote here- "a Carlos Santana band" thought some face time with R. Kelly could help him cash in. Instead, he had the assistance of two sheriff's deputies in being escorted out into the rain.

I'll take this from the top.

Mike Roman walked into Courtroom 500 this morning, looking for a gig. He approached me after learning I was with CLTV, and asked to appear on our fine station.

"I'm not allowed to talk to you," I replied, citing the court decorum order that keeps the press from speaking with anyone other than ourselves while proceedings are underway.

He didn't get it.

"But they're really good," he pressed.

"Carlos Santana you mean? Sir, you don't have to tell me that," I said, and then did my best to duck.

He knew his time was ticking fast, so like many approaching the end, he hurled a hail mary.

Mike Roman approached the defense table, and asked R. Kelly himself to give his 15-dollar C.D. a listen.

Kelly laughed and waved his hands as if to say no. As did I, Kelly told Roman he could not engage in conversation.

There was no time to talk.

Roman was immediately flanked by two sheriff's deputies who walked him down the stairs and out onto California Ave.

Having chased the dismissal, I was ready for Roman now- but he would have nothing of it.

"You would not talk to me earlier so why do you want to talk to me now," he barked, looking as if he were about to cry.

A little bird told this blogger that defense attorneys had previously requested him to get out, or "Go Step in the Name of Love!" they said- for us all.