R. Kelly’s sex abuse charges in Cook County have been dropped
One of Robert Kelly’s alleged victims said “justice has been denied for me” after a short hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse Tuesday dropped four sexual assault claims.
“I pleaded with Kim Foxx and her team to see the cases through,” Lanita Carter said.
Instead, the state’s attorney dropped the singer’s allegations four years later. Kelly has been convicted in federal trials in New York and Chicago, putting him at risk of life in prison.
Kelly did not attend the Tuesday morning hearing, but he will be sentenced later this month in Chicago for sexually assaulting three girls and making child pornography.
Kelly is serving a 30-year sentence for his 2021 racketeering and other offences in New York and faces 10 to 90 years in prison in that case.
After “Surviving R. Kelly,” Foxx publicly implored women who had been attacked by the singer to come forward.
Foxx announced on Monday that she was dismissing the state’s case against the singer since he would likely serve long prison sentences and several of his claimed victims had testified against him in federal court.
Foxx said at least one claimed victim disagreed with the decision.
Foxx said “I understand how hard it was for these victims to come forward and tell their stories, I applaud their courage and have the utmost respect for everyone who came forward. While this may not be the result they were expecting, due to the sentences that Mr. Kelly is facing, we do feel that justice has been served.”
Foxx said “I understand how hard it was for these victims to come forward and tell their stories, I applaud their courage and have the utmost respect for everyone who came forward. While this may not be the result they were expecting, due to the sentences that Mr. Kelly is facing, we do feel that justice has been served.”
Carter, identified as “L.C.” in charging documents, was a victim. She stated Kelly raped her in 2003 when she went to his residence to braid his hair while he was on bail for child pornography.
Carter cooperated with authorities and was not charged. After the “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary rekindled attention, Carter spoke out again in 2019.
“I chose to place my trust in her and her office, and I’ve spent nearly four years preparing myself — mentally and emotionally — to face my abuser and tell my story,” Carter said.
Cook County prosecutors had a second opportunity to prosecute Kelly, who was cleared of state child pornography charges in 2008.
After the hearing Tuesday, Kelly’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, who had requested for the charges to be dismissed, said she was “pleased” with the result and will try to overturn Kelly’s conviction in New York.