Judge Vincent Gaughan decision clears the way for jury selection to begin in the long-delayed trial - a six year delay to be exact.

Shortly after the jury pool entered the courtroom, the judge barred all reporters from the proceedings. The selection process ended about 1 p.m. and will resume Monday at 9 a.m.

The judge held off on appointing a special prosecutor to investigate leaks in the case - which is likely the reason the motion to continue was filed in the first place.

Defense attorney Marc Martin told the court that the jury pool was been ``irrevocably poisoned'' by an article in Friday's Chicago Sun-Times citing unnamed sources talking about a potential witness.

But prosecutors contended it was premature to say the article affected potential jurors and that if any were tainted, they could be weeded out during the selection process.

Publicity surrounding the case has heated up and some media has speculated about who might testify.

Friday morning Kelly, who wore a blue suit and braided hair, didn't acknowledge the crowd as he walked with several other people and a videographer into the courthouse. Raucous onlookers shouted ``I love you'' and ``R. Kelly's a pedophile'' as he walked up a special walkway.

The charges were brought six years ago against the 41-year-old R&B superstar, whose full name is Robert S. Kelly. The trial has been delayed numerous times.

The video around which the case revolves shows a man prosecutors say is Kelly engaging in sex acts with and urinating on the young girl. 

He refers to the girl who allegedly appears as his "god-daughter" on the album liner notes of his "TP2.com" album. Her father played bass for Kelly.

Out of an original 21 counts of child pornography against Kelly, 14 remain. The singer-songwriter, who has sold 37 million albums, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors will have to surmount several hurdles if they hope to prevail.

Chief among them is that the alleged victim, now 23, says it wasn't her. And Kelly's lawyers -- including prominent Chicago attorney Ed Genson -- haven't admitted it's Kelly in the video.

But last weekend, a woman claimed she was a witness to the encounter, and participated in three-way sex with Kelly and the alleged victim.

The centerpiece of the trial is the video footage, which Gaughan ruled may be shown in open court.

Prosecutors claim the videotape was made sometime between Jan. 1, 1998 and Nov. 1 2000, and that the girl was born in September 1984. Kelly was indicted on pornography charges June 5, 2002, after the tape surfaced.

People who have seen the video say it is damaging evidence.

It is unclear whether prosecutors have asked -- or would be allowed -- to tell jurors about accusations that Kelly allegedly had sexual relations with other minors, because some of the trial proceedings have been kept secret by the judge.

Several Kelly detractors showed up on the courthouse steps Friday, saying they wanted to express support for victims of child pornography. Meanwhile, scores of photographers and cameramen were outside amid tighter security.

"We live in a star-struck celebrity world," said Najee Ali, 45, of Chicago. "But I believe Kelly's guilty."

Another protester said he wasn't impressed by Kelly's fame or musical talent.

"He's got great music. So what?" said Dwight Taylor, 52, of Gary, Ind.

Although he won a Grammy in 1997 for the gospel-like song "I Believe I Can Fly," Kelly's biggest hits are sexually charged songs like "Bump N' Grind," "Ignition" and his current single, "Hair Braider." He is due to release a new album in July.

Earlier, two Columbia College students said Kelly's celebrity should not affect his treatment under the law.

"I think he should pay his dues to society, just like everybody else who was having sexual relations with children," said student Melanie Ellis. "It's illegal. You can't do it."

"Any person that commits crime, to me, should all be treated the same way," added student Damien Hodges. "It has nothing to do with celebrity, because that's just not fair."

Gaughan has called in 100 prospective jurors for Friday.