After yesterday’s controversial decision to acquit R. Kelly on all 14 counts of child pornography/abuse, the jury have begun speaking to the media about how and why they reached their judgement. Check out the report via MTV.com:

CHICAGO — The jurors in the R. Kelly child-pornography trial didn’t doubt whether it was the singer on the tape — they just doubted whether it was the girl prosecutors said it was.

“I thought it was R. Kelly on the tape,” juror #9 said after the verdict was rendered. “I just wasn’t 100 percent on the girl.”

The five jurors who agreed to speak to the press following their not-guilty verdict said they felt the state hadn’t presented enough evidence and that having the alleged victim on the stand would have made the difference.

“The key problem was the identity of the female,” juror #23 said. “Her absence was a major lack.”

“The family was too divided,” said juror #9, who in the preliminary votes had voted for a guilty verdict. “So you had to discount the family testimony either way.”

This didn’t mean that the jurors bought all the defense arguments wholesale. The missing mole, for instance, was a non-issue, they said. They didn’t want to examine the video any further, either.

“I’ve seen that video way too many times,” juror #21 said. “The first time was too many.”

Being sequestered — and the prospect of remaining sequestered over Father’s Day — was not a factor in their quick verdict, they said.

“We wanted to go home, but we knew what we had to do,” said juror #21. Nodding in agreement was juror #40, who just earlier that day had asked to be relieved of duty.

Had he — or juror #40 — been relieved, the vote would have gone very differently, said the three alternates who were dismissed earlier in the day. Jurors 65, 73 and 72 said in a separate news conference before the verdict was rendered that they were leaning toward guilty. “My opinion leans towards that it is him with the girl in the video,” said juror #65.

Things might have also gone differently had evidence of Kelly’s marriage to a then-15-year-old Aaliyah or the criminal sexual conduct lawsuits against him been part of the case, the seated jurors said, but that was not what they were given to consider.

“I didn’t even know about that,” juror #23 said. “But as jurors, we have to act within the confines of the law and what is legally presented.”

“It’s all just speculation,” juror #21 said. “Who knows what we would have found [otherwise]?”

I’m still shocked as hell over the verdict; not so much because I think he is guilty (or innocent either, for that matter), but because the Prosecution IMO – and as I’m sure many who followed the trial will agree – argued a very compelling case. I guess time will tell what the effects, if any, there will be on Kelly’s career post-all of this.

Your thoughts?

Bootylicious

Work

She nailed it! I really enjoyed the ‘Like This’ performance.

What do you think of the performances?

The much anticipated video for the Pussycat Dolls new single ‘When I Grow Up’ premiered just a few short hours ago on MTV. I’m most definitely feeling this one; the video captures the essence of the song pretty well. The dance break was the business also. Tidbit: The Britney Spears cameo was axed, according to reports; however no reason was given as to why.

What do you think of the video?

CHICAGO (AP) — Singer R. Kelly has been found not guilty on the first 7 of 14 counts at a child pornography trial. The jury deliberated less than a day.

Kelly was 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 jury — nine men and three women — was given the case Thursday.

The key question for the jurors was whether they believe it was Kelly in the video, as prosecutors contend. Kelly’s attorneys say it wasn’t him. {Source}

Your thoughts?

They nailed it. I’m guessing they’ve been listening to a lot of people’s crtiques as it was evident that someone other than Nicole’s mic was turned on. Good stuff.

Do forget to keep it locked on That Grape Juice for the premiere of the ‘When I Grow Up’ music video later today.

What do you think of the performance?

During a recent call to his own radio station Shade45, Eminem confirmed that he is working on a new album, the first since 2004’s ‘Encore’.

To be honest I can’t say I ever jumped on the Eminem bandwagon what seems like all those years ago. Upon hearing of his plans of coming back, I’m kinda left wondering…

Is Eminem even relevant anymore?

Your thoughts?

Good stuff.

Reminder: That Grape Juice will be interviewing Ashanti within the coming week. You can submit questions for her by clicking here.

What do you think of the performance?

Looks pretty good. The Nicole ‘Star of The Group’ concept is starting to jarr me ever so slightly, though (peep what the other chicks are wearing compared to her). I’m reserving judgement on that front until I hear more of their new material. I mean they’ve got to give Melody (the dark-er skinned member) something to sing, right?

What do you think of the preview?

Amid all the talk about music no longer selling, rapper Lil’ Wayne’s much anticipated LP ‘Tha Carter III’ looks set to break the first week sales records of this year – as well as that of the last few years also:

“The excessive leaks and bootlegging of Lil Wayne’s new album haven’t prevented it from being a hot seller: The rapper’s “Tha Carter III” sold 423,000 copies in its first day of release, according to Billboard magazine. With such sales, Lil Wayne is on pace to sell about 900,000 copies of the CD in its first week and post the best sales debut of the year”. {Source}

That really is an amazing feat. It goes to show that Wayne’s undeniable presence in the industry, most especially within the last few years, is not going unrewarded.

Any thoughts?

That Grape Juice reported back in Febraury that Amerie was on the verge of signing with Def Jam. According to Contact Music, the singer’s move to the LA Reid headed label, which is the home of Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Ne-Yo etc, became finalized recently. Check out the report below:

Singer AMERIE is set to undergo a career overhaul – after signing a deal with the record label which turned RIHANNA into an international superstar.

The 1 Thing hitmaker has parted ways with Columbia Records and inked a deal with Def Jam, the company that secured the massive track Umbrella for Rihanna last year (07), catapulting her to global fame.
And Amerie, who has previously released two albums to moderate success, is hoping the new contract with Def Jam will help boost her career to even greater heights.

A source tells Britain’s Daily Star newspaper, “Amerie’s first two albums did well, but she’s ready to step it up a gear now.

“She was offered a deal too good to turn down and the promise to build upon her reputation for classy and sexy R&B.”

On a personal note, as a supporter of real talent, I am real pleased for Amerie and optimistic about what the future holds for her. If Def Jam can do what they’ve done with Rihanna for the much more talented Amerie (IMO), then she really may be in with a chance of hitting it BIG.

Your thoughts?