The trial of Jussie Smollett began on Monday in Chicago. The former “Empire” actor is being accused by Cook County prosecutors of faking a hate crime.
Smollett who is a Black gay man says that he really is a victim. And the two brothers who allege he hired them to fake the attack are really responsible.
Smollett’s attorney claims that Smollett suffered a homophobic attack. But he is also being victimized by the police and prosecutors’ “tremendous rush to judgment.” And it is ruining his life and career.
Jussie Smollett charged by special prosecutor
In the opening statement, special prosecutor Dan Webb says Smollett’s false police reports belittle real victims. And make it harder to prosecute hate crimes.
Since January of 2019, the Smollett case has been a confusing and sometimes sad roller-coaster ride playing to a nationwide audience.
In Cook County, a charge of disorderly conduct includes lying to police or giving false reports. Typically the charges don’t involve jail time.
Smollett is charged with 6 counts of disorderly conduct. Each one represents an instance between Jan. 29, 2019, and Feb. 14, 2019, where Smollett is alleged to have lied to Chicago Police Officers Muhammed Baig, Kimberly Murray, and Detective Robert Graves.
