Advertisement

Jussie Smollett case

Jussie Smollett cracks a smile as he walks out to speak to the media after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.

Jussie Smollett walks out to speak to the media after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.  (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Tribune
Share

A grand jury indicted Jussie Smollett on 16 counts of disorderly conduct in February. Cook County prosecutors on March 26, 2019, dropped all charges against Smollett on disorderly conduct charges. The 36-year-old actor vehemently denied lying to police and faking a homophobic attack in the Streeterville neighborhood on Jan. 29, 2019.

Former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb takes the oath of special prosecutor during a status hearing concerning actor Jussie Smollett at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Aug. 23, 2019.

Former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb takes the oath of special prosecutor during a status hearing concerning actor Jussie Smollett at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Aug. 23, 2019.  (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Former state appellate Judge Sheila O'Brien arrives at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on June 21, 2019, for a hearing where a Cook County judge is to decide whether he will appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the controversial decision to drop all charges against Jussie Smollett.

Former state appellate Judge Sheila O’Brien arrives at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on June 21, 2019, for a hearing where a Cook County judge is to decide whether he will appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the controversial decision to drop all charges against Jussie Smollett.  (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Sheila O’Brien, a former appellate judge pressing to probe the state’s attorney’s office, gestures while walking through the Leighton Criminal Court Building on May 23, 2019, in Chicago. She called the judge’s decision unsealing the court file a good first step.

Sheila O’Brien, a former appellate judge pressing to probe the state’s attorney’s office, gestures while walking through the Leighton Criminal Court Building on May 23, 2019, in Chicago. She called the judge’s decision unsealing the court file a good first step.  (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, left, and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel speak during a news conference to react to the dropping of charges against actor Jussie Smollett by the Cook County state's attorney's office on March 26, 2019.

Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, left, and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel speak during a news conference to react to the dropping of charges against actor Jussie Smollett by the Cook County state’s attorney’s office on March 26, 2019.  (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

Actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Leighton Criminal Court building after all charges were dropped in his disorderly conduct case on March 26, 2019.

Actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Leighton Criminal Court building after all charges were dropped in his disorderly conduct case on March 26, 2019.  (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Jussie Smollett is surrounded by the media as he waits for his car to pick him up after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.

Jussie Smollett is surrounded by the media as he waits for his car to pick him up after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.  (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Jussie Smollett, the "Empire" star who has been charged for lying to police about an alleged fabricated attack, speaks to the media after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.

Jussie Smollett, the “Empire” star who has been charged for lying to police about an alleged fabricated attack, speaks to the media after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.  (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Jussie Smollett, third from left, walks out to speak to the media after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.

Jussie Smollett, third from left, walks out to speak to the media after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.  (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Jussie Smollett speaks to the media after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.

Jussie Smollett speaks to the media after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.  (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Actor Jussie Smollett exits courtroom 101 into the hallway inside the Leighton Criminal Court Building following an emergency hearing for his disorderly conduct charges, March 26, 2019.

Actor Jussie Smollett exits courtroom 101 into the hallway inside the Leighton Criminal Court Building following an emergency hearing for his disorderly conduct charges, March 26, 2019.  (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Actor Jussie Smollett appears for a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on March 14, 2019.

Actor Jussie Smollett appears for a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on March 14, 2019.  (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Jussie Smollett gestures to supporters who chant for him as he arrives for a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 14, 2019.

Jussie Smollett gestures to supporters who chant for him as he arrives for a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 14, 2019.  (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

Jussie Smollett supporter Sandra Gentry, of Chicago, chants as Smollett arrives for a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 14, 2019.

Jussie Smollett supporter Sandra Gentry, of Chicago, chants as Smollett arrives for a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 14, 2019.  (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

Jussie Smollett enters the Leighton Criminal Court Building, March 12, 2019, for a hearing on whether cameras will be allowed in the courtroom on the criminal charges he faces.

Jussie Smollett enters the Leighton Criminal Court Building, March 12, 2019, for a hearing on whether cameras will be allowed in the courtroom on the criminal charges he faces.  (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

Jussie Smollett enters the Leighton Criminal Court Building, March 12, 2019, for a hearing on whether cameras will be allowed in the courtroom on the criminal charges he faces.

Jussie Smollett enters the Leighton Criminal Court Building, March 12, 2019, for a hearing on whether cameras will be allowed in the courtroom on the criminal charges he faces.  (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

Jussie Smollett enters the Leighton Criminal Court Building, March 12, 2019, for a hearing on whether cameras will be allowed in the courtroom on the criminal charges he faces.

Jussie Smollett enters the Leighton Criminal Court Building, March 12, 2019, for a hearing on whether cameras will be allowed in the courtroom on the criminal charges he faces.  (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

After bonding out, "Empire" television actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Cook County Jail in Chicago, Feb. 21, 2019.

After bonding out, “Empire” television actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Cook County Jail in Chicago, Feb. 21, 2019.  (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

After bonding out, "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Cook County Jail in Chicago, Feb. 21, 2019.

After bonding out, “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Cook County Jail in Chicago, Feb. 21, 2019.  (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Actor Jussie Smollett peeks from behind a bodyguard as he leaves the Cook County Jail with his legal team after posting bond on Feb. 21, 2019.

Actor Jussie Smollett peeks from behind a bodyguard as he leaves the Cook County Jail with his legal team after posting bond on Feb. 21, 2019.  (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Actor Jussie Smollett (third from right) leaves the Cook County Jail after posting bond on Feb. 21, 2019.

Actor Jussie Smollett (third from right) leaves the Cook County Jail after posting bond on Feb. 21, 2019.  (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

In this courtroom sketch, "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett, appears in from before Cook County Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr. with his attorney Jack Prior at Cook County Court, Feb. 21, 2019, in Chicago. Smollett has made his first court appearance on charges that he falsely reported being beaten by two men last month in downtown Chicago. The judge set bond at $100,000, meaning that Smollett must post $10,000 to be released. Police say the 36-year-old actor staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself because he was unhappy about his salary and wanted to promote his career. Smollett said little during the hearing, except to state his name.

In this courtroom sketch, “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, appears in from before Cook County Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr. with his attorney Jack Prior at Cook County Court, Feb. 21, 2019, in Chicago. Smollett has made his first court appearance on charges that he falsely reported being beaten by two men last month in downtown Chicago. The judge set bond at $100,000, meaning that Smollett must post $10,000 to be released. Police say the 36-year-old actor staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself because he was unhappy about his salary and wanted to promote his career. Smollett said little during the hearing, except to state his name.  (Tom Gianni / AP)

Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson speaks about the details of the arrest and charges of Jussie Smollett at Chicago police headquarters on Feb. 21, 2019. Pictured on the right is chief of detectives, Melissa Staples.

Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson speaks about the details of the arrest and charges of Jussie Smollett at Chicago police headquarters on Feb. 21, 2019. Pictured on the right is chief of detectives, Melissa Staples.  (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

A light shines on the door of a residence that was served with a search warrant in the investigation of the attack on actor Jussie Smollett in the Streeterville neighborhood, Feb. 14, 2019, in Chicago.

A light shines on the door of a residence that was served with a search warrant in the investigation of the attack on actor Jussie Smollett in the Streeterville neighborhood, Feb. 14, 2019, in Chicago.  (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

A surveillance camera is seen near the spot where "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett allegedly staged an attack in Chicago. Chicago police tapped into a vast network of surveillance cameras _ and some homeowners' doorbell cameras _ to help determine the identities of two brothers who later claimed they were paid by "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett to stage a racist and homophobic attack.

A surveillance camera is seen near the spot where “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett allegedly staged an attack in Chicago. Chicago police tapped into a vast network of surveillance cameras _ and some homeowners’ doorbell cameras _ to help determine the identities of two brothers who later claimed they were paid by “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett to stage a racist and homophobic attack.  (Teresa Crawford/AP)

Actor and singer Jussie Smollett attends the "Empire" FYC Event in Los Angeles.

Actor and singer Jussie Smollett attends the “Empire” FYC Event in Los Angeles.  (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP 2016)

Actors Jussie Smollett, left, and Terrence Howard attend the 2018 Fox Network Upfront at Wollman Rink in New York on May 14, 2018.

Actors Jussie Smollett, left, and Terrence Howard attend the 2018 Fox Network Upfront at Wollman Rink in New York on May 14, 2018.  (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Advertisement