Defense Rests Its Case in Trial of Jussie Smollett

By Tadi Abedje Published: December 7, 2021

Defense Rests Its Case in Trial of Jussie Smollett

Actor Jussie Smollett raises his fist when asked how he was doing while walking through the Leighton Criminal Courthouse lobby on day four of his trial Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Chicago. Smollett is accused of lying to police when he reported he was the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

In Summary

The star of Empire has pleaded not guilty to six counts of disorderly conduct filing false police reports as the charge could be three years in prison.

Jussie Smollett’s defense team rested its case as the former star of Empire testified he was a victim of a hate crime in Chicago in 2019. Smollett denied he staged the attack for public attention.

The 39-year-old has pleaded not guilty on six counts of disorderly conduct as a result of filing false police reports. The charge is punishable by up to three years in prison, according to CNN.

Earlier this week, Smollett took the stand and testified about his side of the alleged attack, questioned the motives of the prosecution’s top witnesses and explained his lack of trust in police. Prosecutors countered his testimony with more proof that they say validates the point he set up the hoax and lied to police about it, CNN reported.

The trial of Smollett is the climax of the case that started on the night of January 29, 2019. On that date, the actor told police two men attacked him, made racist and anti-gay remarks, poured bleach on him and put a noose around his neck, as reported by CNN.

However, authorities believe Smollett paid two people, brothers Bola and Ola Osundairo, $3,500 to set up a fake hate crime attack to get media attention. A special prosecutor was appointed to this case and brought charges of disorderly conduct against the actor.

Defense attorneys made the case that Smollett was a real victim of an attack and said the Osundairo brothers had other motives, according to CNN.