PAThe rapper Nelly has made a statement in response to the serious allegations of rape that saw him arrested on Saturday morning.
The 42-year-old musician – real name Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. – has broken his silence on the rape allegation made against him in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Nelly has responded saying he’s completely innocent and is a victim of targeting:
Let me say that I am beyond shocked that I have been targeted with this false allegation. I am completely innocent. I am confident that once the facts are looked at , it will be very clear that I am the victim of a false allegation.
— Nelly_Mo (@Nelly_Mo) October 7, 2017
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
In other words y'all know damm well I ain't do no dumm S^*t like this..!! Love ..!!!!
— Nelly_Mo (@Nelly_Mo) October 7, 2017
Nelly was arrested on suspicion of second degree rape.
The classification indicates force was used or the victim was incapable of consent due to being physically helpless, mentally incapacitated or developmentally disabled.
But on Twitter Nelly confirmed he has not been charged with any crime and was released, pending further investigation.
To be absolutely clear. I have not been charged with a crime therefore no bail was required. I was released , pending further investigation.
— Nelly_Mo (@Nelly_Mo) October 7, 2017
Meanwhile, he will not be performing the Saturday night Washington leg of his tour with Florida Georgia Line.
At 12:23 a.m. on Saturday, before his arrest, Nelly tweeted:
Anytime you feel like the whole world is against you you need to scratch that shit its really you against the whole world because the whole world don’t know you exist.
Anytime you feel like the whole world is against you you need to scratch that shit its really you against the whole world because the whole world don't know you exist
— Nelly_Mo (@Nelly_Mo) October 7, 2017
In an email, attorney Scott Rosenblum told USA TODAY:
Nelly is the victim of a completely fabricated allegation. Our initial investigation clearly establishes this allegation is devoid of credibility and is motivated by greed and vindictiveness.
I am confident, once this scurrilous accusation is thoroughly investigated, there will be no charges. Nelly is prepared to address and pursue all legal avenues to redress any damage caused by this clearly false allegation.
An Auburn police spokesman Commander Steve Stocker confirmed Nelly was booked on Saturday morning after being arrested at about 4:37 a.m. in his tour bus at a Walmart.
A woman claimed she was raped on Nelly’s tour bus in Auburn, Washington, at around 3:45am, and that the alleged victim specifically identified Nelly as the perpetrator of the alleged rape.
Let’s wait for the judicial system to set the wheels of investigation in motion before the tirade of unacceptable alleged victim-blaming or alleged perp-blaming begins.
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.