Jussie Smollett trial on fake racist attack to begin

November 28, 2021November 28, 2021 Editor

Jussie Smollett reported the case of a hate crime to Chicago police department on January 29, 2019.

What seemed to be a wake-up call to the harsh reality that is racism and homophobia, turned out to be a publicity stunt.

Attorney Nenye Uche, left, and Jussie Smollett leave a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago on July 14, 2021. (Anthony Vazquez /Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

Three years after Jussie Smollett reported his case to the police, his trial begins tomorrow.

In case you missed the whole gist, here are key moments in the Smollett trial 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 reported a hate crime to the police. 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.

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.

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.

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

— However, 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 also 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.

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

— Although, 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 also 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.