The woman who accused Nelly of raping her last week is now asking law enforcement officials to drop the investigation. Karen Koehler, the alleged victim’s lawyer, wrote a letter explaining why the woman has decided not to cooperate with the criminal proceedings anymore, according to TMZ.
“Every step off the way since the time she called 911, she wishes she had not,” reads the letter. “Not because what happened didn’t occur exactly the way she described it. Not because she did not want the police to charge the celebrity with alleged rape. She wishes she had not called 911 because she believes the system is going to fail her.”
According to Koehler, the alleged victim did not want fame, or even a “dime” from Nelly. She also didn’t want many of the case’s details to be revealed, including a meeting that she had with detectives, which was later publicized.
“I gave the victim my word that the interview would not be shared during this early part of the investigation,” a detective said on Wednesday, according to the statement. “I failed her with that promise.”
Nelly’s status also played a role in the decision, according to the letter. “She wonders who is she to go by her small ‘unimportant’ self against a celebrity,” added Koehler. “Who will believe her. People are saying horrible things already. She cannot handle this. She is about to break. She wants to close the door. She wants this to end. She just cannot bear it. And so, today she is telling the Auburn Police Department and the King County Prosecutor’s Office to put a halt to the criminal investigation of [Nelly].”
The St. Louis rapper has denied the allegation since the day it was made. “I am beyond shocked that I have been targeted with this false allegation,” he tweeted. “I am completely innocent.” His lawyer has also called the rape accusation baseless and said that the alleged victim had “an agenda” for “money, fame, and notoriety.”
Now, the alleged victim is hoping to return to school and graduate, according to her lawyer. “This she cannot do if she remains hidden in her room, crying her heart out,” Koehler added. “One day, maybe our world will change and thirty women will not be needed to (eventually) speak out against a celebrity who has hurt them in order to be believed. But that day has not yet come.”
According to TMZ, prosecutors may still move forward with the case, but the alleged victim’s refusal to testify would “make it difficult.”
