A federal judge overseeing singer R. Kelly's child-pornography case in Chicago granted a protective order restricting access to and mentions of evidence in the case.
Judge Harry Leinenweber approved the protective order during Wednesday's hearing to ensure information from government documents obtained through discovery does not get released without clearance. The singer's lawyers have argued that restrictions proposed by prosecutors were too wide-reaching and could hamper their defense.
Kelly is jailed on charges that also include coercing minors to engage in sex. Marshals are transporting him to New York for a Friday arraignment on related charges.
His 82-year-old judge revealed last week that before his assignment to the case this month he hadn't heard of Kelly, whose hits include "I Believe I Can Fly."
Kelly's attorney said after the hearing that the singer has an "optimistic spirit" and would not disclose his "confinement situation."
Another hearing is set to take place in Chicago on Sept. 4.
