Monday 29 November 2021
Case with many twists
Smollett in court on charges of fake assault
The alleged anti-gay attack on American actor Smollett has sparked international panic. But soon doubts arose. The now 39-year-old African American has to answer in court: He is said to have plotted the attack to gain professional advantage.
Nearly three years after the alleged assault, a criminal trial has begun against American actor Jussie Smollett in Chicago. The 39-year-old is accused of allegedly committing racist and anti-gay assault and lying to police. He denies the allegations. The trial could end tomorrow, Friday or early next week, Judge James Lynn announced at the start of the jury selection.
The twist and turn case caused quite a stir in the US and internationally. The African-American and gay star of the television series “Empire” reported in January 2019 that he was attacked and humiliated by two masked men on a street in Chicago one night. The attackers put a rope around her neck and shouted that Chicago was “maga country” – alluding to US President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again”.
The alleged assault initially caused horrors, but soon doubts arose about Smollett’s account. The police are sure that the actor sent himself a threatening letter and then directed two acquaintances to carry out the fake attack; He is said to have expected professional gains from his role as a victim.
first stopped, then started
The case took another curious turn when prosecutors dropped an astonishing 16 count against Smollett in March 2019. The actor only had to do community hours and pay $10,000. It has been sharply criticized by the police and the city of Chicago. Eventually, a special prosecutor was hired to retake the case. A so-called grand jury again brought charges against Smollett in February 2020.
It is still unclear whether Smollett, who lost his role in “Empire” during the revelation, will testify himself. On the other hand, it is generally expected that two brothers allegedly hired by him will appear as witnesses. His lawyer, Gloria Schmidt Rodriguez, said in February 2020 that his clients regretted the act and wanted to make it public.
