R. Kelly Avoids Arrest, Reprimanded by Judge

After a stern reprimand from Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan, R. Kelly avoided arrest on Thursday and apologized for missing a scheduled hearing for his child pornography case earlier in the week. "These are extraordinary matters to have these breaks given to you and then nobody shows up," Gaughan said. In addition to expressing disappointment, the judge also threatened to revoke Kelly's bond, but has since decided to let the singer continue with his 45-city tour due to the "unintended consequences" of canceling dates.

Kelly's attorneys claim the singer's tour bus was stopped in Utah while en route to Chicago from Sacramento causing him to miss his court appearance. The singer's team of lawyers also added that their client has never missed a court date since his 2002 indictment.

A trial date has been set for May 9. In the meantime, Kelly was asked to cancel a January 13 show in Hampton, Virginia to give the crooner enough time to make a January 14 court date.