Media Claim Two MAGA Fans Attacked Actor. Here Is The Full Story.

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The Associated Press




CHICAGO (AP) — “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges accusing him of lying to the police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in downtown Chicago a few weeks ago.

Lawyer Tina Glandian entered the plea on behalf of the 36-year-old actor during a hearing in Cook County Circuit Court after Judge Steven Watkins was assigned to oversee the case, including the trial.

Watkins granted Smollett’s request to be allowed to meet with lawyers in New York and California, but said the actor must give the court at least 48 hours’ prior notice. He scheduled the next hearing for April 17.

Smollett, who left the courthouse without speaking to reporters, is charged with 16 counts of disorderly conduct.

Prosecutors allege that Smollett, who is black and gay and plays the gay character Jamal Lyon on the hit Fox TV show, hired two friends to help him stage the attack on him in downtown Chicago early on the morning of Jan. 29. They say Smollett was unhappy about his salary and wanted to drum up publicity to help his career.

Smollett has denied that he staged the attack and maintains he is innocent. His attorneys have called the charges against him “prosecutorial overkill.”

There were several supporters outside the courthouse doors as Smollett arrived for the hearing, including some who waved signs. Activist Wisdom Cole led a few chants in support of the actor, the black community and the LGBT community.

“Jussie has been a person of high caliber and character. He comes from an activist family. He has a consistent track record and history of supporting marginalized people ... and so his track record is not on par with the idea of a hoax,” she said.

Yes! My favorite thread, back in action!!

[RBP]

I am still shocked he is doubling down. Unless there's some bombshell, is he just angling for a plea deal? I just can't imagine the benefit of prolonging this.

Since courtroom cameras were approved for this case, it is going to be a circus.

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I am still shocked he is doubling down. Unless there's some bombshell, is he just angling for a plea deal? I just can't imagine the benefit of prolonging this.

Since courtroom cameras were approved for this case, it is going to be a circus.

It's the simple chain of evidence that's going to sink him.

Check written by him and given to the Maga Brothers > Maga Brothers buying supplies used in the fake assualt > Maga Brothers not wanting to go to jail> bye Jussie

[RBP]

And we still haven't heard from the FBI. That's the other shoe.

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And we still haven't heard from the FBI. That's the other shoe.

Watch, they'll have some surveillance video with sound where he's outlining the attack to the brothers in person

Too bad ol Johnnny Cochran isn't around for this one..

[RBP]

Watch, they'll have some surveillance video with sound where he's outlining the attack to the brothers in person

Too bad ol Johnnny Cochran isn't around for this one..

The FBI is handling the mail fraud part of this. There will likely be additional federal charges.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Tyler McCarthy | Fox News




The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office will not be prosecuting Jussie Smollett, who was previously accused of faking an anti-black, anti-gay hate crime in Chicago in order to drum up publicity for his role on the TV drama “Empire,” Fox News has learned.

The judge granted a nolle pros, which essentially means that the case has been dropped and that he will no longer be prosecuted for the alleged crime. It’s unclear at this time why the court decided not to proceed with prosecution, but the former “Empire” star is expected to give a statement after he leaves the courthouse later today.

Story developing...

[fricnjay]

[Muddy]

"former empire star".. Did they cut him?

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Tyler McCarthy | Fox News




The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office will not be prosecuting Jussie Smollett, who was previously accused of faking an anti-black, anti-gay hate crime in Chicago in order to drum up publicity for his role on the TV drama “Empire,” Fox News has learned.

The judge granted a nolle pros, which essentially means that the case has been dropped and that he will no longer be prosecuted for the alleged crime. It’s unclear at this time why the court decided not to proceed with prosecution, but the former “Empire” star is expected to give a statement after he leaves the courthouse later today.

Story developing...

Smollett previously pled "not guilty" to 16 counts of disorderly conduct stemming from the alleged incident in which he claimed two men beat him, poured bleach on him and placed a rope around his neck before yelling, "This is MAGA country." His lawyer, Tina Glandian, entered the plea on Smollett’s behalf just hours after Judge Steven Watkins was assigned the case. The next court date was scheduled for April 17.

However, Smollett was brought in for an emergency court session in which the judge ruled the case against him would be dropped.

Doubt was cast on the open-and-shut nature of the case when Fraternal Order of Police President Kevin Graham wrote the Justice Department following reports that Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx asked Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson to let the FBI investigate Smollett's allegations that he was attacked by two masked men after the former chief of staff to former first lady Michelle Obama allegedly informed Foxx that Smollett's family had concerns about the probe.

Smollett attorneys Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes said in a statement that Smollett's record "has been wiped clean."

A rep for Fox, which produces and airs "Empire," said the studio and network had no immediate comment.

A spokeswoman for Cook County prosecutors didn't immediately respond to messages requesting comment.

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Why God, why?




Prosecutors just don't drop 16 charges during high profile cases like this. What the hell?

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"former empire star".. Did they cut him?

Yeah they mentioned writing him out of the show right after he was charged.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Emily Zaqnotti - The Daily Wire




In a shocking development Tuesday morning, the Cook County State's Attorney's office dropped all charges against "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett, and records of his case will be sealed, in a decision made just a month after a grand jury charged Smollett with 16 counts of felony misconduct.

Smollett, instead of facing trial, will instead forfeit his bond payment of $10,000, according to reports.

The judge granted what is called a "nolle pros," allowing all charges to be dropped against Smollett at the request of the prosecutor's office. According to a tip from the Chicago Police Department, the State's Attorney's office believes Smollett has performed "community service" and does not require an official sentence.

Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx's office confirmed that Smollett has been given leeway because of his service to the people of Chicago in a statement to reporters.

“After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollet’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," the statement read.

The statement did not indicate Smollett had been cleared of the alleged crimes, just that his behavior had somehow balanced out the need to charge him over the incident. The "community service" referenced in the statement was, according to local news sources, done in reference to a separate case or incident.

Sources inside the Chicago Police Department tell the Daily Wire that Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson is "furious" over the development.

Foxx had, initially, recused herself from the case amid concerns that she had direct contact with one of Smollett's relatives in the lead up to issuing charges. Last week, the Fraternal Order of Police in Chicago issued a formal complaint to the United States Attorney's office, claiming that Foxx had attempted to interfere in the Smollett investigation, with the help of a Smollett relative and former First Lady Michelle Obama's chief of staff.

Smollett's attorney was, of course, thrilled with the development.

"Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29th. He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false & inappropriate remarks made to the public causing an inappropriate rush to judgement," his legal team said in a statement to media.

Smollett was, of course, charged with 17 separate misdemeanor and felony counts for allegedly faking a racially motivated attack on January 29th. Smollett told police that he was attacked by two unidentified men who beat him, threw a rope around his neck, and poured an unknown chemical substance on his clothes. A police investigation reportedly revealed a complex conspiracy to stage the attack.

This is a breaking story and The Daily Wire will continue to update this piece with further developments.

[fricnjay]

I wonder what the judge is going to do with all that money?

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"Sources inside the Chicago Police Department tell the Daily Wire that Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson is "furious" over the development."

He's not the only one. Ruined my day for sure.

This smells like a politically motivated move borne from a fear of potential civilian repercussions if he was charged and did go to jail..