R&B star R. Kelly has launched a last-minute bid to have his child pornography trial delayed again. The trial has been plagued by delays and hold-ups, but was finally due to begin with jury selection on Friday in Chicago, Illinois - six years after the singer was initially charged with having sex with a minor.

But Kelly's lawyers have now asked for the trial to be temporarily delayed due to a recent "torrent of publicity" surrounding the case, which they feel could have a negative effect on the trial's outcome. The 41-year-old has pleaded not guilty to 14 charges of child pornography, after a videotape emerged allegedly showing him having sex with an underage girl. (wenn)