Actor from the FOX hit show Empire, Jussie Smollett, has turned himself in to the Chicago police department early Thursday morning.
On January 29, 2019, about 2am, Jussie Smollett reported to Chicago police that he was the victim of a hate crime. Smollett reported that two men allegedly assaulted him while yelling hate slurs, threw bleach on him and tied a noose around his neck. Smollett was not seriously injured.
Smollett’s account of the events were questioned immediately by social media. Many questioned why Smollett would not release his phone records to police upon request. The police were also unable to locate any video of the event on the surrounding cameras. However, many also gave him the benefit of the doubt, including several celebrities, posting statements in support of Smollett.
As police continued to investigate, they identified two black males leaving the area of the incident. When police tracked down the men, coming back into the country, they were identified as actors, brothers, from the Empire show. Making Smollett’s account of the events more questionable.
As police continued to investigate, they identified two black males leaving the area of the incident. When police tracked down the men, coming back into the country, they were identified as actors, brothers, from the Empire show. Making Smollett’s account of the events more questionable.
The Chicago police scheduled an appointment with the grand jury where the two brothers testified to their role in the hoax. The state’s attorney then approved the charges against Smollett, a felony charge of disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false report. The charges against Smollett may carry up to a three year sentence.
The Chicago police department expressed that they did not divert any resources or give this case any special attention. They were just as hard on all of their cases, however, the police department has invested valuable resources, executing over 50 search warrants and subpoenas for searches of property, phone and social media records.
Chicago police have expressed that the city of Chicago would like an apology for Smollett’s shameful behavior.
“He took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career.”
The Chicago police department stated that Smollett will go in front of the bond court judge at 1:30pm in the afternoon of February 21, 2018. Ultimately they believe Smollett staged the event because he was unhappy with his salary. Smollett maintains his innocence at this time.
Update: Smollett’s bond has been set at $100,000.
This is so disappointing the way these events have unfolded. If money was truly the main reason for this type of attention then I am so confused as to why he thought doing this would increase his financial value. If there are some mental issues which caused him to do such a thing, then I hope he can get the help he needs. Otherwise, there are bigger issues at stake in this country and Jussie did not start them nor will he end them.