R KELLY - KELLY MISSES COURT DATE DUE TO BURST APPENDIX

KELLY MISSES COURT DATE DUE TO BURST APPENDIX

A burst appendix kept R+B star R KELLY from a scheduled appearance in a Chicago, Illinois courtroom on Wednesday (07FEB07). The singer was expected at a hearing in his ongoing child pornography pre-trial yesterday (07FEB07), but had to be excused because he was recovering from surgery. Kelly's attorney TERENCE GILLESPIE told the court his client underwent surgery on Sunday (04FEB07) in Miami, Florida. Kelly has pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of child pornography and is awaiting trial. He was charged in 2002 with engaging in videotaped sex acts with an underage girl. The singer is expected to be back in court for his next hearing, which is set for 21 February (07).