Smollett’s attorneys said his record had “been wiped clean” of the 16 felony counts related to making a false report that he was assaulted by two men.
CHICAGO — Prosecutors on Tuesday abruptly dropped all charges against Jussie Smollett, defence attorneys said, apparently abandoning the case barely five weeks after the Empire actor was accused of lying to police about being the target of a racist, anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago.“I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I was being accused of,” he told reporters after a court hearing. He thanked the state of Illinois “for attempting to do what’s right.
“After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case,” the statement from spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said.Typically, a minimum condition of dropping cases is some acceptance of responsibility.
Smollett was accused of falsely reporting to authorities that he was attacked around 2 a.m. on Jan. 29 in downtown Chicago. Investigators said he made the report because he was unhappy with his pay on Empire and believed it would promote his career. He reported that he was assaulted on his way home from a sandwich shop. Smollett said two masked men shouted racial and anti-gay slurs, poured bleach on him, beat him and looped a rope around his neck. He claimed they shouted, “This is MAGA country” — a reference to President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan. He asserted that he could see one of the men was white because he could see the skin around his eyes.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Empire’ actor Jussie Smollett’s attorneys say all criminal charges droppedSmollett was indicted on 16 felony counts related to making a false report that he was attacked by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs
Read more »
Jussie Smollett’s attorneys say all criminal charges have been droppedSmollett was indicted on 16 felony counts related to making a false report that he was attacked by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs
Read more »
All charges against 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett dropped: lawyersAttorneys for “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett say charges alleging he lied to police about attack have been dropped.
Read more »
Charges against actor Jussie Smollett dropped, his lawyers sayAttorneys for 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett say charges alleging he lied to police about being attacked have been dropped.
Read more »
Report: Prosecutors offer to drop charges against Kraft in deal - TSN.caProsecutors have offered to drop charges against New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and several others for soliciting prostitution if Kraft and the others admit they would have been proven guilty, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
Read more »
LIVE: Chicago mayor, police chief on SmollettChicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Police Chief Eddie Johnson comment on the charges against actor Jussie Smollett being dropped.
Read more »