In a significant turn of events, Minnesota prosecutors have decided to drop sex abuse charges against R&B singer R. Kelly. The charges alleged that Kelly had invited a 17-year-old girl to his hotel room in 2001 and paid her $200 to dance naked with him. However, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office released a statement explaining their decision, citing the recent federal convictions of Kelly and the potential impact on his prison sentence.
Background on the Charges
The allegations against R. Kelly involved a 17-year-old girl who was allegedly invited to his hotel room and paid to engage in explicit activities. The charges were filed in 2019 but had remained dormant until now.
Decision to Drop the Charges
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office stated that they believe the victim and acknowledged that a conviction against Kelly would be likely if the case proceeded to trial. However, they deemed it unnecessary to pursue the charges further, considering that Kelly’s federal convictions would already result in a lengthy prison sentence. The decision was made to prevent additional harm to the survivor victim, the community, and the legal system.
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Victim’s Perspective
The woman who was allegedly abused by R. Kelly in Minnesota expressed her disappointment with the decision to drop the charges. In a statement issued by her lawyer, she shared that the abuse had weighed heavily on her for over two decades and would continue to affect her for the rest of her life. Despite knowing that a trial would not result in additional prison time for Kelly, she expressed her willingness to testify, as it would have provided her with closure.
Federal Convictions and Sentencing
R. Kelly’s federal trials in Chicago and New York led to his convictions on multiple charges, including child pornography, enticement, racketeering, and sex trafficking. These convictions resulted in a 30-year prison sentence in the New York case and a concurrent 20-year sentence in the Chicago case. The severity of these sentences, along with the nature of the crimes, played a significant role in the decision to drop the Minnesota charges.
Status of the Lawsuit in Minnesota
The woman who accused R. Kelly of abuse in Minnesota filed a lawsuit against him in 2021. However, the case remains dormant as Kelly is currently imprisoned and unable to defend himself. He was recently transferred to a federal prison in North Carolina. The status of the lawsuit remains uncertain due to these circumstances.
R. Kelly’s Rise and Popularity
R. Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, emerged from poverty in Chicago to become one of the most successful R&B stars in the world. His songs, including the popular “I Believe I Can Fly” and his sexually charged tracks like “Bump n’ Grind,” propelled him to stardom. Despite the public allegations of abuse that surfaced in the 1990s, he continued to sell millions of albums.
Announcement of Minnesota Charges
In 2019, then-County Attorney Mike Freeman announced the charges against R. Kelly in Minnesota. According to Freeman, Kelly had met the young woman before a concert in Minneapolis, where she sought his autograph. Kelly gave her his signature and phone number, leading to an invitation to his hotel room. Once there, the young woman was offered $200 to dance and undress. Kelly joined her, engaging in inappropriate behavior.
Dropping of Charges in Chicago
Earlier this year, state sex abuse charges against R. Kelly in Chicago were dropped by Cook County prosecutors. The decision was based on his extensive federal prison sentences, making further charges redundant.
Conclusion
The decision by Minnesota prosecutors to drop the state sex abuse charges against R&B singer R. Kelly reflects the impact of his federal convictions and the length of his prison sentences. While the victim expressed disappointment, the overwhelming evidence from the federal trials and the associated penalties rendered additional charges unnecessary. Holding abusers accountable remains crucial, and the federal convictions serve as a significant step towards justice.
Robert Kelly Jr., R. Kelly’s Son: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Robert Kelly, Jr. is the son of R. Kelly and Andrea Lee. He is the youngest of the couple’s three children, and he is the only one who has not spoken publicly about his father’s sexual abuse allegations.
Andrea Lee said that there the strain of R. Kelly‘s abuse led to health complications and a near miscarriage when she was pregnant with Robert Jr. in 2002. Read on to learn more about the youngest Kelly, his past, and his relationship with his famous father.
Here’s what you need to know about Robert Kelly, Jr.:
1. Doctors Were Unsure If Robert Jr. Would Survive When He Was Born In 2002
Andrea was told that they doctors have to induce labor right away, because they were unsure if Robert Jr. was going to survive. “I went through the labor and I just remember falling so in love with little Rob because he came here so strong,” she gushed. “I was in that much stress.”
2. Robert Jr. Does Not Talk with R. Kelly & Refers to Him as Robert Sr.
Andrea Lee revealed that her children do not have contact with R. Kelly, nor do they refer to him as dad. During an appearance on The Bert Show, she said that the children have not spoken to their father in years, and that their lack of communication has been a contributing factor when it comes to unpaid child support.
“Even now, financially I am being abused. He stopped paying child support as of June,” Andrea said. “When I came out and told my story, that was the last time he paid support. Because again, you can’t abuse me physically … you can’t abuse me emotionally … so you abuse me financially.”
“It is very difficult. He has no relationship with his children now,” Andrea added. “He doesn’t call them, he changed his phone number. We don’t have that phone number. Like, what dad does that? But that’s him.” She then told listeners that Robert Jr. and his older siblings refer to their father as Robert Sr.
“At the end of the day, what do you tell your children? They call him ‘Robert Sr.’”, she remarked. “They don’t call him ‘dad’ because he’s so disconnected from his children.”
3. Robert Jr. Has Shown an Interest In Music Like His Siblings
A handful of students at Griffin Middle School created a music video that urged kids to focus on their studies. Robert Jr. raps the second verse in the video, which addresses cramming for tests and the importance of getting good grades. “Do assignments that’s assigned and study every night until you are the best,” he spits. “I study ’til I pass a test. I study, I study, I pass it, I’m stunting and now I’m better than the rest.”
Robert Jr.’s mom re-posted the video on her Instagram, where she praised him for promoting a good message. “Pleas (sic) check out my baby boy Robert Kelly, Jr. smash this second verse for his school,” she wrote. “Mama is so proud of you! I love you.”
4. R. Kelly Was Arrested for Unpaid Child Support to Robert Jr. & Jay In 2019
R. Kelly was arrested for unpaid child support on March 6, 2019. USA Today reports that Kelly failed to pay $161,000 in back child support for his sons Robert Jr. and Jay, in addition to college tuition for his daughter Joann. Kelly handed over a check two months after he was arrested and jailed for failing to make the required payments.
The check amounted to $62, 499, but Kelly’s ex-wife Andrea is still seeking out $32,383 in back child support remaining from the $161,000 that the judge ordered Kelly to pay. The documents pertaining to the case were initially scheduled to be made public, but Kelly’s lawyer objected, arguing that Kelly’s sons were minors (Robert Jr. was 16 at the time) and thus deserved to be protected from the information found in the documents.
Kelly’s representative Darrell Johnson confirmed that his client was back on track with payments. “My client now looks forward to clearing his name and being cleared of all charges in the near future,” Johnson told ABC. “Mr. Kelly also placed a check for child support in escrow with his family law attorney for June, July and August in advance.”
5. Robert Jr. Shut Down His Instagram In 2018 & Prefers to Keep a Low Profile
The only consistent social media presence he has is on his mother’s profile. He often poses for photos with his family, with the most recent example being on December 2, 2019. “When FATHER GOD, MOTHER EARTH and QUEEN UNIVERSE are at work,” Andrea wrote in the caption. “Big things coming soon this is DOPE-DOPE and the heirs to the throne.”
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1- Why did Minnesota prosecutors drop the sex abuse charges against R. Kelly?
The decision was made due to his federal convictions and the significant prison sentences he received.
2- Did the victim want to testify in the trial?
Yes, the woman who was allegedly abused expressed her willingness to testify, despite knowing that it wouldn’t lead to extra prison time for Kelly.
3- What were R. Kelly’s federal convictions?
R. Kelly was convicted of crimes including child pornography, enticement, racketeering, and sex trafficking.
4- How long was R. Kelly sentenced to in the federal cases?
He received a 30-year prison sentence in the New York case and a concurrent 20-year sentence in the Chicago case.
5- What happened to the lawsuit filed by the victim in Minnesota?
The lawsuit remains dormant as R. Kelly is currently imprisoned and unable to defend himself.
