R Kelly

A Cook County judge has decided to allow both the media and the public in the courtroom to view a videotape that allegedly shows singer R. Kelly having sex with an underaged girl.

Both prosecutors and defense attorneys had asked Judge Vincent Gaughan to limit the viewing of the video to only jurors, attorneys and the judge himself. They argued that the video is so lewd it would embarrass the girl involved.

"This is the whole crux or linchpin of the case against Mr. Kelly," Gaughan said. "Without it, the case wouldn't exist." Adding that he did not want a "star chamber," the judge said, "The press is very important and can't be excluded."

Kelly has pleaded not-guilty to child pornography charges for allegedly taping himself having sex with the girl.

Prosecutors allege that the girl in the video was as young as 13 years old.