Timeline of Jussie Smollett’s alleged fake assault on himself

Dueling protestors clash over Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office’s decision to drop all charges against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, on April 1, 2019, in Chicago.

(Paul Beaty / AP)

New York Daily News

Feb. 21, 2019 2:59 PM PT

Charges were dropped against “Empire” star Jussie Smollett less than two weeks after he pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of disorderly conduct. Prosecutors alleged Smollett staged an assault on himself, falsely claiming he was attacked in a hate crime in Chicago, Ill. on Jan. 29, 2019, by two men who coiled a noose around his neck and yelled homophobic and racist slurs against him. Smollett’s record “has been wiped clean.” Cook County Judge Michael Toomin announced on June 21 that a special prosecutor will review Smollett’s case again.

Protests over dropped charges against Jussie Smollett

Former mayoral candidate and community activist Ja’Mal Green, right, verbally spars with Fraternal Order of Police supporters protesting against Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx outside the county administration building, on April 1, 2019. Dueling rallies in downtown Chicago supported and criticized Foxx’s performance in the Jussie Smollett case.

(Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

Members of the Fraternal Order of Police and supporters of the group protest against Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx outside the county administration building on April 1, 2019. Dueling rallies in downtown Chicago supported and criticized Foxx’s performance in the Jussie Smollett case.

(Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

Jussie Smollett's alleged fake attack on himself

Empire actor Jussie Smollett, center, arrives at the Leighton Criminal Court Building for his hearing on Thursday, Mar. 14, 2019, in Chicago. Smollett is accused of lying to police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack by two men on Jan. 29 in downtown Chicago.

(Matt Marton / AP)

This image released by Fox shows Jussie Smollett, left, and Terrence Howard in a scene from the “The Depth of Grief” episode of “Empire,” which originally aired on Oct. 31. Smollett’s co-starring role in “Empire” may end up being the pinnacle of his career, industry observers and insiders said as the actor faces criminal charges that he faked a hate crime against himself.

(Chuck Hodes / Fox via AP)

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, center, arrives at Leighton Criminal Court Building for a hearing to discuss whether cameras will be allowed in the courtroom during his disorderly conduct case on Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2019, in Chicago.

(Matt Marton / AP)

Jussie Smollett (C) and his team arrive for a court hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on March 12, 2019, in Chicago. A Chicago grand jury on March 8, 2019, indicted Jussie Smollett on 16 felony counts after allegedly lying to police about being the victim of a racist, homophobic hate crime. Police say Smollett -- who gained fame on Fox musical drama “Empire” -- staged the attack in a bid to gain publicity and a bigger paycheck.

(DEREK HENKLE / AFP/Getty Images)

Empire actor Jussie Smollett enters the courtroom at Leighton Criminal Court Building on Tuesday, Mar. 12, 2019, in Chicago. A grand jury indicted Smollett last week on 16 felony counts.

(Matt Marton / AP)