Empire Star, Jussie Smollet, Found Guilty of Faking Hate Crime

Jussie Smollett, an American actor, was found guilty of lying to police about a racial and homophobic attack on him in 2019.

Smollett, who is Black and homosexual, alleged an attack on him in January 2019 while walking home late at night in Chicago.

Empire Star, Jussie Smollet
Jussie Smollet

According to him, two masked individuals tied a noose around his neck, threw chemicals on him, and hurled racial and homophobic obscenities against him while proclaiming their support for Donald Trump.

Smollett was detained in February by police, who accused him of paying two Nigerian brothers, Abimbola, an extra on the Empire set, and Olabinjo Osundairo, to fabricate the alleged assault.

According to the Associated Press, the prosecution witnesses said that the actor paid them $3,500 to fabricate the attack in order to gain public sympathy and improve his acting career.

They reportedly said Smollett provided them lines to say, such as “MAGA nation,” a reference to ex-President Donald Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again.”

Smollett, on the other hand, insisted on his innocence and accused the two brothers of lying. He further stated that the check they received was for nutrition and training regimens.

After nine hours of deliberation, the jury found Smollet guilty on five of six charges of disorderly conduct for lying to police.

Nenye Uche, the defense counsel, stated that the conviction will be appealed and expressed confidence that his client’s name would be vindicated.

Judge James Linn, who presided over the case, set a post-trial hearing for January 27. He also said he would schedule Smollett’s sentencing at a later date.

Smollett has been written off the Empire series since allegations of his role in the attack became public.

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