Rapper Nelly’s Rape Accuser Drops Criminal Charges

A woman who said rapper Nelly raped her on his tour bus in a Seattle suburb last weekend is dropping her pursuit of criminal charges.

News outlets report that Karen Koehler said Friday in a statement that her client wanted to stop the investigation and would refuse to testify in court.

Koehler says the woman “wishes she had not called 911 because she believes the system is going to fail her.”

Police arrested Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., early Saturday on his tour bus at a Walmart in Auburn, Washington, following a Friday night concert. He was booked into jail on suspicion of second-degree rape and released later that day. He has not been charged with a crime.

Nelly’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, has called the rape claim a “completely fabricated allegation.”

The rapper previously responded to the allegation via Twitter, writing, “I do want to apologize to my loved ones for the embarrassment and for putting myself in a situation where I could be victimized by this false and defaming allegation.” 

He added, “I assure you I will be vindicated. And I assure you, I will pursue every legal option to address this defaming claim.”

I do want to apologize to my loved ones for the embarrassment and for putting myself in a situation where I could be victimized by this false and defaming allegation.

— Nelly_Mo (@Nelly_Mo) October 7, 2017

I also want to thank my fans for their unwavering support. They know me. I assure you I will be vindicated. And I assure you, I will pursue every legal option to address this defaming claim. Thank you

— Nelly_Mo (@Nelly_Mo) October 7, 2017

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