Chicago (AP) — Former “Empire” Actor Jussie Smollett On Thursday, he was convicted of attacking anti-homosexuals and racists almost three years ago and lied to the Chicago Police Department about it.
In the courtroom where the ruling was read, Smollett confronted the jury with no visible reaction.
Jury convicted 39 years old About 5 counts of chaotic behavior — One count for each time he was charged with lying to the police in the days immediately following the attack. A few weeks after Smollett was attacked, he was acquitted for the sixth charge of lying to a detective in mid-February.
The indictment is a class 4 felony with up to three years’ imprisonment, but experts say that if convicted, Smollett is likely to be probated and ordered to perform social service. rice field.
Damage to his personal and professional life It may be tougher. Smollett told the jury earlier this week that he lost his role on the television show “Empire” after the prosecutor said the alleged attack was a hoax. “I lost my livelihood.”
The jury deliberated nine hours on Wednesday and Thursday after a week-long trial testifying that Smollett had recruited them to forge an attack near his home in downtown Chicago. January 2019.. They said Smoret adjusted the hoax, wrapped a rope around his neck and told him to mess with him from the perspective of a surveillance camera, and said he wanted to publish a video of the hoax via social media.
Smollett testified That he was a real hate crime victim, He told the jury, “There was no hoax.” He called his brother a “liar” and said the $ 3,500 check he wrote was for a diet and exercise plan.his Lawyer insisted The brothers attacked a homosexual, black actor because they hated homosexuality and didn’t like “who he was”. They also claim that the brothers have created a story about the attacks being made to make money from Smollett, saying that if Smollett paid them $ 1 million each, they would not testify to him. rice field.
In closing arguments on Wednesday, the prosecutor told the jury that he had “overwhelming evidence” that Smollett had launched the attack and lied to police to advertise it. His lawyer said the prosecutor’s case was based on lies.
Special counsel Dan Webb has a jury with Smollett Caused the Chicago Police Department to spend enormous resources Investigating what they believe was a fake crime.
“We completely condemn not only violating the law, but as serious as a true hate crime, and make sure that it contains words and symbols of such historical significance in our country. Is clearly wrong, “Webb said.
He also accused Smollett of lying to the jury, saying that the pre-attack surveillance video and the night were inconsistent with the important moments of Smollett’s testimony.
Defendant lawyer Nene Uche called his brother a “sophisticated liar” who may have been motivated to attack Smollett because of his homosexual dislike or because he wanted to be hired to work as his guard.
“These people want to make money,” he said.
Webb wondered why Smollett didn’t hand over his cell phone to the police and didn’t provide access to DNA samples and medical records to help with the investigation. Smollett testified that he did not trust the Chicago Police Department and was concerned about privacy.
“If he were a true victim of the crime, he would not have withheld evidence,” Webb said.
Uche said it was “nonsense” for the Chicago Police Department to ask Smollett for his DNA when he was still considered a victim of the crime. He said he later provided the FBI with DNA for another investigation of the harassment email Smollett received at the “Imperial” studio shortly before the attack.
“He didn’t hide anything,” Uche said.
NS Chaotic act fee Is a class 4 felony and can be sentenced to up to three years in prison, but experts say Smollett may be probated and ordered to perform social service.
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Jussie Smollett lied to police after being convicted of staging attack | National News
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