We last left off the Jessie Smollett case reporting that Empire star’s attack was met with some skepticism. Rumors spread that he hired two men to assault him for publicity.
The New York Times reported that “Jussie Smollett, upset by his salary and seeking publicity, staged a fake assault on himself a week after writing himself a threatening letter, the Chicago police said Thursday after the “Empire” actor surrendered to face a charge of filing a false police report”. Eddie T. Johnson, the Chicago Police superintendent, had this to say “Why would anyone — especially an African-American man — use the symbolism of a noose to make false accusations?” he asked. “How could someone look at the hatred and suffering associated with that symbol and see an opportunity to manipulate that symbol to further his own public profile?”
Smollett now being a suspect in his own crime reportedly maintains that he did nothing wrong. As more evidence or lack thereof comes forth we look toward the trial to possibly give more clarity on Jessie’s side of the story.