Illinois Supreme Court to hear actor Jussie Smollett appeal of conviction for staging racist attack
The Illinois Supreme Court will hear an appeal of actor Jussie Smollettโs disorderly conduct conviction for staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and lying to Chicago police.
Jussie Smollett asks Illinois high court to hear appeal of convictions for lying about hate crime
Actor Jussie Smollett has asked the Illinois Supreme Court to intervene in his yearslong legal battle stemming from charges that he staged a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and lied about it to Chicago police.
Illinois appeals court hears arguments on Jussie Smollett request to toss convictions
Jussie Smollettโs lawyers have told an Illinois appellate court that it should toss the former โEmpireโ actorโs convictions for staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and then lying about it to Chicago police.
EXPLAINER: What charges did Jussie Smollett face at trial?
The legal saga surrounding Jussie Smollettโs claim in 2019 that he was the target of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago culminated Thursday in his sentencing to 150 days in jail and being ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago.
Black juror: Smollett's reaction to noose makes no sense
The lone Black juror on the panel that convicted Jussie Smollett of lying to Chicago police about what authorities say was a staged hate crime says he cannot get past how the actor put a noose around his neck when officers were coming to interview him.
In and outside court, Smollett fights for reputation, career
As Jussie Smollett fights criminal charges that he lied to Chicago police about being the victim of an anti-gay, racist attack, his supporters are also working on a broader strategy: Ensuring the 39-year-old emerges from the scandal with his reputation and career intact, whatever the outcome of the trial.
Hunt still on for suspects in ransacking of Chicago stores
FILE In this Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, file photo, Kajal Dalal walks through the her family's food and liquor store after it was vandalized in downtown Chicago. A Chicago police task force that was formed after crowds swarmed into downtown and smashed their way into hundreds of stores in August is still investigating and making arrests four months later. They keep adding to the nearly 100 video clips they've posted online in the hopes someone might identify suspects. โThe message (to suspects) is the task force isnโt quitting ... and you will eventually be found and arrested,โ Deputy Chief Brendan Deenihan said. Just as detectives stitched together videos to follow two men who allegedly participated in the attack on Smollett, Looting Task Force detectives followed suspects as they moved from store to store.
Judge refuses to dismiss Chicago lawsuit against Jussie Smollett
(CNN) - A federal judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the City of Chicago against actor Jussie Smollett, court documents show. A legal battle is being fought in federal court as Chicago seeks to recover more than $130,000 to cover police overtime during the investigation of Smollett's report of a hate crime attack in January. After police investigated the case for weeks, they said investigators believed Smollett staged the attack to bolster his profile and career. Tuesday, US District Judge Virginia Kendall denied Smollett's request to dismiss the lawsuit, allowing the case to proceed to the discovery phase. Chicago's Department of Law filed the lawsuit in state court in April but the case was later moved to federal court.
Smollett case special prosecutor donated to Foxx's campaign
Actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Leighton Courthouse after his court appearance on March 26, 2019, in Chicago. In a document filed in Cook County Circuit Court, Dan K. Webb says he doesn't recall writing a $1,000 check to State's Attorney Kim Foxx's campaign. The Chicago Tribune reports he also says he doesn't remember attending the fundraiser thrown by his high-powered firm, Winston & Strawn. The invitation notes lawyers in the firm including Webb, a Republican, supported Foxx, a Democrat, in her campaign for state's attorney. The Cook County state's attorney's office charged Smollett in February with 16 counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly orchestrating the incident.
Judge rules on motions in Smollett case
CHICAGO - A Chicago judge Wednesday denied a request by Jussie Smollett's lawyers that a replacement judge be assigned in the former "Empire" actor's special prosecutor case, in addition to rejecting other motions put forward by Smollett's team. Judge Michael Toomin also denied a motion asking that Smollett's lawyers be allowed to intervene and argue other motions during the court appearance. Smollett's lawyers had hoped to use the brothers' testimony to reveal inconsistencies in their stories, as they are the only two witnesses in the case. Bodycam footage yields new detailsNo timeline has been provided for when Toomin will select a special prosecutor. In the case of a formal recusal, Toomin wrote, the court would have been responsible for appointing a special prosecutor.
Jussie Smollett Shows Cops Noose Around His Neck in Newly Released Video
Police just released nearly 70 hours of footage in the Jussie Smollett case, including video of him showing police the noose that was allegedly put around his neck. In the video, police arrive at Smolletts apartment after he called 911 and the noose can be seen around his neck. In the footage, he tells investigators two men shouted homophobic slurs at him and put the noose around his neck. In another newly released video, the brothers can be seen in hazmat suits inside a taxi. Chris Rock Wonders 'What the Hell' Jussie Smollett Was ThinkingJussie Smollett Indicted on 16 Counts by Grand Jury