Jussie Smollett goes on trial this week, charged with lying about racist, homophobic attack in Chicago
CHICAGO - Jussie Smollett is going on trial this week, accused of lying to police when he reported he was the victim of a racist, homophobic attack in downtown Chicago nearly three years ago. Jury selection is scheduled for Monday. The gay Black man told police in January 2019 that two masked men attacked him. He was charged weeks later with filing a false police report after investigators concluded he had staged the attack. That case was dropped, but later revived when a special prosecutor charged Smollett with disorderly conduct. The actor has pleaded not guilty. The trial is expected to last a week.
KEY DATES IN THE JUSSIE SMOLLETT CASE:
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.
‘Substantial abuses’ by Foxx's office in Smollett case, special prosecutor finds
A special prosecutor in Chicago accused Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and her office on Monday of repeatedly abusing their discretion and making false public statements in the case against actor Jussie Smollett last year, but he concluded they did nothing criminal.
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." Reports of an assault on Smollett draw outrage and support for him on social media from some politicians and celebrities.
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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.
Jussie Smollett accused of lying to CPD, indicted on 6 counts of disorderly conduct
In a story FOX 32 News broke first, former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett was indicted Tuesday in Chicago by special prosecutor Dan Webb, stemming from the alleged racist and anti-gay attack on him that occurred in January of 2019.
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.
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. 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.
City of Chicago sues Jussie Smollett for police investigative costs
Chicago filed a lawsuit against Jussie Smollett on Thursday in a bid to recoup the costs of investigating a racist, anti-gay attack that authorities say was orchestrated by the "Empire" actor as a publicity stunt, with the city saying - at minimum - that it now wants triple the amount it initially asked Smollett to pay.
Feb. 22, 2019: "Empire" producers say Smollett's character to be removed from the final two episodes of the season.
March 26, 2019: Smollett's attorneys say charges alleging he lied to police have been dropped.
April 11, 2019: The city of Chicago files a lawsuit seeking to recoup the investigation costs.
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.