Jussie Smollett makes a “secret plan” to create scam Hate crimes against himself, the court heard on the opening day in the trial of the American television actor. Smollett, 39, tell police in January 2019 that he was assaulted by two men who shouted pro-Trump slogans also tied a noose around his neck.
But his lawyers said before the trial that their client was a “real victim.” Mr. Smolet denied having committed a crime. Fifteen jurors were selected Monday morning to hear the case.
Authorities say Mr. Smolett paid the Nigerian-born brothers $3,500 (£2,630) to attack to advance his career. Because he was “not satisfied with his salary” on the TV show Empire about the hip-hop dynasty.
Mr. Smollett claimed the payment was for one of the brothers who worked as a personal trainer.
The Empire removed after alleged hate crime-fraud – the actor was indicted last year by an Illinois, exceptional attorney on six counts of lying to police. During Monday’s opening arguments, Special Prosecutor Dan Webb alleged that the actor “conceived a covert plot that would create the impression. That there was indeed a hate crime committed against him by supporters of Donald Trump.”
How is Jesse Smolet’s drama progressing?
He said he held a “dress rehearsal” with the two brothers and instructed them to insult him in racist and homophobic ways, reports the Chicago Tribune. “He had them use a rope to make it look like a hate crime,” Webb said in court.
The two brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who carried out the attack, are expected to take a stand. They both worked as extras in the Empire. Mr. Smolet’s lawyer, Genie Uche, refuted prosecutors’ arguments, saying his client was a “real victim” of a “real crime,” according to AP News.
In court, Mr. Smolet’s lawyer alleged that the brothers attacked the actor because they didn’t like him. However, he also points out that a third assailant was involved. Mr. Smolett came to court surrounded by supporters and wearing a black face mask.
Previous hooliganism charges against him were dropped following an urgent court appearance in March 2019, prompting Chicago police and the city’s mayor to accuse the court of “getting rid of” Mr. Smolet.
Mr. Webb was then hired to investigate how the case was handled. He said his office had received “sufficient factual evidence” to claim the case should not have been closed.