A victim of R. Kelly’s sexual abuse case in Cook County, Illinois is speaking out after prosecutors decided to drop charges against the singer. According to the Chicago Tribune, Lanita Carter was devastated.
NEW: When Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx made an unusual public defense for #R kelly accusers came forward, Lanita Carter answered the call.
Now 4 years later, her case has been dropped by Foxx’s office, and Carter recounts @crepeau She felt burned twice. https://t.co/z3Ptp2QaUi– Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) January 31, 2023
A Chicago prosecutor announced the decision to drop the charges on Monday
As The Associated Press reported, Cook County Attorney Kim Foxx shared that she will ask the judge presiding over the case to drop the charges against Kelly. The male singer is accused of sexually abusing 4 victims, including 3 minors.
Foxx explained her decision to drop the charges. And shared that she believes the smeared musician will never have the opportunity to be a free person again.
Mr. Kelly is likely considering the possibility of never stepping out of prison again because of the crimes he has committed. Although cases are no longer pursued today, we believe that justice has been served.
To date, Kelly is serving a 30-year prison sentence for federal charges against him in New York. And he is awaiting sentencing on additional charges from Chicago federal court. Kelly will receive a sentence for that case on February 23.
According to the source, Kelly is appealing her New York charges. But with that conviction alone, Kelly “won’t be eligible for release until he’s about 80 years old.”
Additionally, Foxx explained that the money is not being used for this trial and will instead fund “advocacy for other victims of sexual abuse.”
Prosecutors understand decision ‘could be disappointing’ to Kelly accusers
Foxx shared her admiration for the victims in the case, acknowledging the “courage they needed to come forward.” She added that she understood the decision to drop the charges against Kelly “could be disappointing” for accusers.
Kelly’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, is pleased with the decision.
He has only one life to give. So I don’t know how many sentences will please people.
One of Kelly’s accusers shares her disappointment with the decision
One of Kelly’s accusers, his former hairdresser, Lanita Carter, was “devastating”.
I spent nearly 20 years hoping that my abuser would be brought to justice for what he did to me. With today’s announcement, all hope of justice for my case is gone… Justice has been denied to me.
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Carter explained that she “puts a lot of hope” on the prosecutors who brought charges against him.
I had so much hope in them that one day I would see justice, and it was so important to me that I did.
Carter explained that she was once again frustrated.
My case is important. When they told me I had no cases in 2003, I said it was okay and I tried to move on. Now I move forward again, after you call me forward. And now you’re saying it again.
Despite the adverse decision, Carter managed to stay positive.
I still have to be positive. But I can’t help saying, this is a bull, this is terrible for me. I’m sad. But I still have to find the silver lining and I still have to heal. At the end of the day, I must be able to walk away. But you know, it doesn’t feel good.
Carter alleges that she was sexually assaulted by Kelly in 2003. She was 24 years old and said she had braided his hair for about a year when the sexual abuse occurred.
Carter also shared some words of encouragement for other victims of sexual abuse.
Tell your truth. Don’t hide it, go to the police immediately. And hopefully, justice looks different to them, because (Foxx) says she has resources for them that she wouldn’t use in my case.
