Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx dropped embattled singer R. Kelly’s sex abuse charges in Illinois Tuesday.
“I can’t imagine this is a good use of the judges’ time the prosecutors’ time or the taxpayers’, so we are pleased with that decision,” said Jennifer Bonjean, Kelly’s attorney.
During a status hearing in R. Kelly’s Cook County cases Tuesday morning, members of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office asked a judge to dismiss the four sex abuse cases against him.
“I’m very pleased about the charges being dropped, so we can go ahead and focus on the next step, which is the appeal process. Hopefully, we can get that done,” said DeAngelo Brister, Kelly’s friend.
Kelly was already convicted in two federal cases, one in New York, and other in Illinois. The cases stem from sex abuse and, in some cases, child sex abuse.
One of Kelly’s sisters spoke with ABC7 from out of state.
“I’m glad for Robert… to finally get a positive outcome like this,” Lisa Kelly said.
As for Kelly, he is serving a 30 year sentence for the New York case and is currently being held in Chicago, as sentencing for the federal Illinois case is next month.
“This doesn’t bring any relief to Mr. Kelly. He is still looking at decades in prison,” Bonjean said.
Bonjean said they are appealing the New York verdict.
At the center of the Cook County cases dropped Tuesday are four women. Two of the accusers were part of the resolved federal litigation. The other two will not have their days in court. The attorney for one of the woman would not comment, and ABC7 could not reach the other woman for comment.
