R. Kelly acquitted on all counts in child sex case

M. Spencer Green / AP

CHICAGO - The jury in the R. Kelly child pornography case has informed the judge that it's reached a verdict after less than a day of deliberations.

Judge Vincent Gaughan is scheduled to read the verdict this afternoon.

Kelly is charged with 14 counts of videotaping himself having sex with an underage girl, who prosecutors say was as young as 13. If convicted, he faces a minimum of four years in prison and a maximum of 15 years. He would also have to register as a sex offender in Illinois.

The jurors — nine men and three women — were given the case Thursday afternoon after attorneys for both sides completed their closing arguments.

A key question for the jurors was whether they believe it was Kelly in the video as prosecutors contend or if they agree with Kelly's attorneys that he isn't the man in the video.

Earlier in the day, after deliberating for just three hours, a juror had sent a note to the judge that reads: “How can I be removed and go home? I really need to.”

Judge Vincent Gaughan called attorneys into the courtroom, told them about the note but adjourned before dealing with the matter. The jury had stopped deliberating for lunch.

Earlier in the morning, the judge called attorneys in to discuss another juror, who became frustrated by slow service during dinner the night before and started banging a bottle on the table and cursing. That juror was allowed to remain on the panel after other jurors indicated they could continue working with him.