R. Kelly will no longer face sex abuse charges in Minnesota, as prosecutors have decided to drop the case.
On Tuesday, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office expressed its belief in the victim’s credibility and acknowledged the high likelihood of a conviction if Kelly were to be tried. However, they concluded that pursuing prosecution on the 2019 charges would have little impact being that Kelly’s federal convictions would likely keep him in prison for the rest of his life.
“The overwhelming impact of proceeding to trial in this case on the survivor victim, the community, and the Hennepin County legal system would be enormous while a conviction would not add any additional time in prison,” the office said.
According to former County Attorney Mike Freeman, Kelly encountered the young woman before a Minneapolis concert when she approached him for an autograph. Freeman stated that Kelly provided his signature along with a phone number. During the call, the woman received an invitation to Kelly’s hotel room. Allegedly, she was offered $200 to undress and engage in a dance, during which Kelly also disrobed, and they danced together.
In addition, the woman also claims Kelly reclined on his bed while she positioned herself on top of him, with their bodies in direct contact. He then touched her all over her body and engaged in self-gratification.
“As a surviving victim of R. Kelly, I feel sad about the fact that Hennepin County Attorney’s Office in Minnesota decided not to hold him accountable for what he did to me when I was a minor,” the woman said. “If there had been a criminal trial, I would have been willing to testify against R. Kelly. Even though it wouldn’t have brought any extra prison time for him, it would have given me closure.”
