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Crime: Key moments since Jussie Smollett reported Chicago attack
- By msn
- november 29, 2021
Trial set to start on charges Smollett faked racist attack
CHICAGO (AP) — A popular actor steps out onto the street and is brutally reminded that, despite his fame and wealth, places still exist where the color of his skin and sexual orientation put him in danger. That was the story that ricocheted around the world after Jussie Smollett, a Black and openly gay actor, reported to Chicago police that he was the victim of a hate crime. Nearly three years later, Smollett is about to stand trial on charges that he staged the whole thing. He was charged with felony disorderly conduct after law enforcement and prosecutors said he lied to police about what happened in the early morning hours of Jan. 29, 2019, in downtown Chicago.
CHICAGO (AP) — A popular actor steps out onto the street and is brutally reminded that, despite his fame and wealth, places still exist where the color of his skin and sexual orientation put him in danger. That was the story that ricocheted around the world after Jussie Smollett, a Black and openly gay actor, reported to Chicago police that he was the victim of a hate crime. Nearly three years later, Smollett is about to stand trial on charges that he staged the whole thing. He was charged with felony disorderly conduct after law enforcement and prosecutors said he lied to police about what happened in the early morning hours of Jan. 29, 2019, in downtown Chicago. CHICAGO (AP) — "Empire" actor and R&B singer Jussie Smollett told Chicago police in January that two men physically attacked him and yelled racial and homophobic slurs. Some key moments in the story: Jan. 22. — Smollett receives a racist and homophobic threatening letter at the studio in —A city official says Chicago is seeking 0,000 from Smollett to cover the costs of the investigation into his reported beating, which police say was staged. A letter sent to Smollett says over two dozen detectives and officers investigated the entertainer's report that he was attacked , racking up a
CHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett goes to trial Monday on charges that he lied to Chicago police when the former “Empire” actor and R&B singer reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack nearly three years ago. Some key moments in the story: Jan. 22, 2019. — Chicago police say they've reviewed hundreds of hours of surveillance camera footage, including of Smollett walking downtown, but none shows the attack . Police obtain and release images of two people they want to question, calling them "persons of interest." — Reports of an assault on Smollett draw outrage and
CHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett goes to trial Monday on charges that he lied to Chicago police when the former “Empire” actor and R&B singer reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack nearly three years ago. Some key moments in the story:
© Provided by Associated Press Jussie Smollett Jan. 22, 2019
— Smollett receives a racist and homophobic threatening letter at the studio in Chicago where "Empire" is filmed. Police later say they believe Smollett sent the letter himself.
Jan. 29, 2019
— Jussie Smollett tells police he was attacked by two men in downtown Chicago at 2 a.m. The actor says the men used racist and homophobic slurs, wrapped a rope around his neck and poured an "unknown substance" on him. Police say Smollett, who is Black and gay, told detectives the attackers also yelled he was in "MAGA country," an apparent reference to President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan that some Trump critics call racist and discriminatory.
Jussie Smollett's Trial Begins as Actor Faces Charges He Faked Racist Attack
Former "Empire" star Jussie Smollett has been accused of orchestrating an alleged racist and homophobic attack on himself in Chicago almost three years ago.The former Empire star, 39, alleged that he was attacked on the streets of downtown Chicago on January 29, 2019. However, brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo have alleged that he paid them $3,500 to stage the attack. Jussie Smollett goes to trial Monday on charges that he lied to Chicago police when the former “Empire” actor and R&B singer reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack nearly three years ago. Some key moments in the story — Smollett receives a racist and homophobic threatening letter at the studio in Chicago where "Empire is filmed. Police later say they believe Smollett sent the letter himself. Jan. 29, 2019. — Jussie Smollett tells police he was attacked by two men in downtown Chicago at 2 a.m. The actor says the men used racist and homophobic slurs
CHICAGO (AP) — "Empire" actor and R&B singer Jussie Smollett told Chicago police last month that two men physically attacked him and yelled racial and homophobic slurs. Some key moments in the story — Chicago police say Smollett is officially suspected of filing a false police report when he said he was a victim of a racist, homophobic attack in downtown Chicago late last month. Police also say that two brothers who were questioned about the attack were testifying before a grand jury and detectives were presenting evidence to the grand jury.
© Provided by Associated Press FILE - Former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago, Feb. 24, 2020. Smollett's trial will boil down to the question of whether the jury believes the actor's version of what he says was a racist and homophobic attack or that told by two brothers who say they helped the actor fake the attack. The trial starts with jury selection Monday, Nov. 29, 2021 and is expected to last a week. (AP Photo/Matt Marton, file) Jan. 30, 2019
— Chicago police say they've reviewed hundreds of hours of surveillance camera footage, including of Smollett walking downtown, but none shows the attack. Police obtain and release images of two people they want to question, calling them "persons of interest."
Jussie Smollett's trial starts today. This is how we got here
Jury selection starts Monday in the trial of former "Empire" star Jussie Smollett, who is accused of making false reports to authorities that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in 2019. © Rob Kim/Getty Images NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 19: Director Jussie Smollett attends the New York Screening of "B-Boy Blues" at AMC Magic Johnson Harlem on November 19, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images) Smollett, 39, was indicted on six counts last year by a Cook County, Illinois, grand jury, but the actor has insisted on his innocence, repeatedly denying he orchestrated the attack. CHICAGO (AP) — "Empire" actor and R&B singer Jussie Smollett told Chicago police last month that two men physically attacked him and yelled racial and homophobic slurs. Some key moments in the story — Jussie Smollett tells Chicago police he was physically attacked by two men in downtown Chicago while out getting food from a Subway restaurant at 2 a.m. The black and openly gay actor tells authorities the men used racial and homophobic slurs, wrapped a rope around his neck and poured an "unknown substance" on him.
CHICAGO -- "Empire" actor and R&B singer Jussie Smollett told Chicago police in January that two men physically attacked him and yelled racial and homophobic slurs. Some key moments in the story: Jan. 22. — Smollett receives a racist and homophobic threatening letter at the studio in Chicago — Chicago police say Smollett is officially suspected of filing a false police report when he said he was a victim of a racist, homophobic attack in downtown Chicago in January. Police also say that two brothers who were questioned about the attack were testifying before a grand jury and detectives
— Reports of an assault on Smollett draw outrage and support for him on social media from some politicians and celebrities.
Jan. 31, 2019
— Smollett's family issues a statement calling the attack a hate crime and disputing claims that he changed his story.
Feb. 1, 2019
— Smollett issues a statement saying he's OK, that he's working with authorities and has been "100 percent factual and consistent on every level."
Feb. 2, 2019
— Smollett opens a concert in West Hollywood, California, with an emotional speech, saying he had to play the show because he couldn't let his attackers win.
Feb. 13, 2019
— Chicago police pick up two Nigerian brothers at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport after police learn at least one worked on "Empire." Police question them and search their apartment.
Feb. 15, 2019
— Chicago police release the brothers without charges after arresting them on suspicion of assault and holding them for nearly 48 hours. A police spokesman says they're no longer suspects.
Jussie Smollett Wrote and Directed His Own Movie While Awaiting Trial
While Jussie Smollett is due in court to face charges he lied over an alleged racist attack, the actor recently unveiled his directorial debut, "B-Boy Blues."The former Empire star is due in a Chicago court on Monday as he defends himself against charges that he orchestrated his own attack in the city back in 2019, in which he had alleged that two men poured bleach on him and placed a noose around his neck. CHICAGO (AP) — "Empire" actor and R&B; singer Jussie Smollett told Chicago police last month that two men physically attacked him and yelled racial and homophobic slurs. FILE - In this Monday, May 14, 2018 file photo, actor and singer Jussie Smollett attends the Fox Networks Group 2018 programming presentation after party at Wollman Rink in Central Park in New York. Smollett , who is black and gay, has said he was attacked by two masked men shouting racial and anti-gay slurs early Jan.
Feb. 16, 2019
— Police say the investigation has "shifted" after detectives questioned the brothers, and request a follow-up interview with Smollett. His lawyers say he feels "victimized" by reports that he played a role in the assault.
Feb. 17, 2019
— Chicago police reach out to Smollett's attorney saying they still want to interview him again because new information has "shifted" their investigation.
Feb. 19, 2019
— Chicago's top prosecutor, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, recuses herself from the investigation. Her office says the decision was made "out of an abundance of caution ... to address potential questions of impartiality based upon familiarity with potential witnesses in the case."
Feb. 20, 2019
— Prosecutors charge Smollett with disorderly conduct for filing a false police report about the alleged attack.
Feb. 21, 2019
— Chicago police say Smollett surrenders to face a felony charge of disorderly conduct, punishable by up to three years in prison.
— Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson says Smollett staged the attack because he was unhappy with his salary and wanted publicity. Investigators say they have a $3,500 check that Smollett used to pay the two brothers to help him.
Jussie Smollett Trial Begins After Special Prosecutor Revived Case Against Actor
Jussie Smollett is charged with six counts of disorderly conduct on suspicion of making false reports to investigators in 2019 after telling police he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack. His lawyer has entered not guilty pleas on his behalf. RELATED: Jussie Smollett Seen Wearing Rope Around His Neck on Night of Alleged Attack in Police Footage Smollett, an openly gay Black actor, was originally indicted in March 2019 with 16 counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false report claiming that two men attacked him on Jan. 29, 2019. Feb. 22, 2019
— “Empire” producers say Smollett's character to be removed from the final two episodes of the season.
March 7, 2019
— A Cook County grand jury returns a 16-count indictment charging Smollett with falsely reporting an offense.
March 26, 2019
— Smollett's attorneys say charges alleging he lied to police have been dropped.
March 28, 2019
— A city official says Chicago is seeking $130,000 from Smollett to cover the cost of the investigation into his reported beating, which police say was staged.
April 11, 2019
— The city of Chicago files a lawsuit seeking to recoup the investigation costs.
April 15, 2019
— The Cook County State's Attorney's Office releases thousands of documents in the Smollett case in response to open records requests, including a text from Foxx calling Smollett a “washed up celeb” who was overcharged.
April 23, 2019
— The brothers who said they helped Smollett stage the attack file a defamation lawsuit against the actor's attorneys.
Aug. 23, 2019
— Judge names former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb as special prosecutor to investigate why charges against Smollett were dropped.
Feb. 11, 2020
— Webb says grand jury returns six-count indictment against Smollett, accusing him of lying to police.
Feb. 24, 2020
— Smollett pleads not guilty to restored charges.
Oct. 15, 2021
— Judge James Linn denies a last-ditch effort to dismiss the criminal case against Smollett and sets his trial for Nov. 29.
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Check out the AP's complete coverage of the Jussie Smollett case.
CNN Faces Calls to Fire Don Lemon Over Jussie Smollett's Court Testimony .
Jussie Smollett has testified that CNN anchor Don Lemon warned him that police didn't believe his account of an alleged racist and homophobic attack. © E. JASON WAMBSGANS/AFP via Getty Images;/Michael Loccisano/WireImage CNN anchor Don Lemon (R) is facing scrutiny after Jussie Smollett (L) testified on Monday that the newsman sent him a text message to warn him that police did not believe his account of having been racially attacked back in 2019.
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