The Jussie Smollett saga just took a sudden and unexpected turn.
Just moments ago, Smollett was summoned to an emergency court appearance in Chicago where he was informed that all charges against him had been dropped by State Attorney Kim Foxx.
36-year-old Smollett’s record has also been expunged.
In a statement, prosecutors said:
How about we take this to the next level?
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After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case.
Smollett had been charged with 16 counts of felony disorderly conduct for filing a false police report back in January.
In a statement released afterwards, Smollett’s attorney said:
Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him.
Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29th. He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public causing an inappropriate rush to judgement.
Jussie and many others were hurt by these unfair and unwarranted actions. This entire situation is a reminder that there should never be an attempt to prove a case in the court of public opinion. That is wrong. It is a reminder that a victim, in this case Jussie, deserves dignity and respect. Dismissal of charges against the victim in this case was the only just result.
Jussie is relieved to have this situation behind him and is very much looking forward to getting back to focusing on his family, friends and career.
Related: Do NOT ask Taraji P. Henson about the Jussie Smollett scandal
CobraPowers
WTF? This jerk tried to start a race war with a HOAX that was obvious to anyone with mildly above average IQ. Last week Michelle Obama got her BBC involved in the issue, and now charges are dropped? HA! So obvious the Democrats are scared, if case had gone to trial, the involvement of Kamala Harris (Barry Hussein’s hand-picked 2020 candidate, and Jussie’s BFF) would have been exposed. But will he get away with it? I don’t think so, he knows too much. I feel bad for him, actually, I predict he’ll be “suicided” within one year, and the official story will be that he couldn’t deal with the online harassment from right-wing racists.
Creamsicle
TIL Glen Beck is a Queerty reader.
Curtispsf
Don’t pay ANY attention to COBrapOWERS. He/She/They are SO obviously a Lizard Person inhabiting the body of a subhuman. All Hail Lord Xenu!
Juanjo
Miss CobraPowers, you need to go back on your medications. You are severely delusional.
CarrieV
Psst, there’s actually no one with the name “Barry Hussein”. So you might wanna stop looking stupid by using it.
CobraPowers
@CarrieV – Barrack Hussein Obama went as Barry Soetoro or Barry Hussein when in college, there are videos of him talking about it from the 90’s. You sound really ignorant and deluded when you run your mouth without doing proper research.
CobraPowers
@Juanjo – Says the loony conspiracy theorist who just a week ago was crying RUSSIAN COLLUSION!
Kangol
You sound really unhinged, Cobra Powers/Mo Bro, with all of the Breitbartian language (Barry… etc.). Get help, chile, and soon! Your beloved Drumpf is the one trying to start a race war, though I know you overlook that, just like his and his associates strange and continuing lies about contacts with Russia (if it was all so OK, why did they lie and lie repeatedly? Hmmm….)
CobraPowers
@Kangol – YOU are the deranged, delusional, conspiracy theorist who just a week ago was crying RUSSIAN COLLUSION! Now that the Mueller report shows NO COLLUSION you are being exposed as the silly fraud you are. I’m not “Mo Bro”, I’m me, you can even find me on Instagram. Not every gay man has to be a devotee of HRC.
Kangol
@CobraPowers, I don’t know WHAT the Mueller report says because I, like you and no one else, save Mueller, his team, Rod Rosenstein, and that GOP tool, William Barr, have seen it. William Barr is the same right-wing scumbag who helped cover up Iran-Contra in 1992 AND wrote an 18-page deranged memo last summer defending Drumpf without any clue about what was happening in the investigation. In other words, you mean the BARR REPORT says “no collusion,” but let’s see what the full report says. The Trump-Russia conspiracy is right in front of your blinkered eyes!
Jandrooey
It is clearly off its meds!
CobraPowers
@Kangol – No you conspiracy theorist. You haven’t been paying attention. The Mueller report found NO EVIDENCE of Russian collusion, but didn’t make a ruling on no interference in investigation. That’s what was presented to Barr, and Barr said there was no interference with investigation either. An investigator finds evidence or they don’t and Mueller, after 2800 subpoenas, 500 witnesses, 500 search warrants, 230 communications records, 50 phone traps, 13 foreint govt intel requests found NO COLLUSION. Have a seat.
Josh447
Yeah this isn’t going to go over well. It puts the entire thing into wierdland and won’t imo, help Empire. This is way too suspicious to shove under the carpet. People want logical answers. Now they’re saying he didn’t know his attackers. Wow. Now I really won’t watch Empire. In my eyes his reputation just went from bad to worse.
SnakeyJ
CobraPowers is 1000% on the money.
DCguy
Queerty, at what point does it become obvious that this is just a troll account here to push a political agenda rather than an actual LGBT person wanting to read your articles and engage in normal discussion?
CobraPowers
@DCguy – Oh you loony conspiracy theorist. I told you several times already I’m a gay man and you can find me with the same name on social media. Have a seat.
EZinHTown
It’s laughable that you right-wing self-haters still try to scare people with Barack Obama’s name. Throw Michelle in there too for good measure. Go back under the rock you crawled out of if you have nothing productive to add.
CobraPowers
@EZinHTown – Self hating because I escaped the DNC plantation? LMAO, go back to watching that tired drag show, drinking and smoking more, your hook app and thinking as “they” expect you to think, faithful sheeple.
buzboo2
The Republican Party has encouraged racism and fed off it. Without that, they couldn’t get elected.
frankie042172
i’m gay and have nothing against jussie but i believe this is bullshit. the real reason he got off was ratings for the show went down. chicago needs the show to succeed because of all the money it brings into the city. i don’t think this is a race thing i thinks it’s a money thing. especially since the city gets to keep his bond money.
i hope people are fooled by this.
CobraPowers
I doubt a show has that much power. It’s all political. It’s obvious his bestie Kamala Harris put him to it to do a hit against Trump and his supporters, and a trial would have exposed her complicity in his stupid hoax as intellectual author of it.
Apolodorus
The troll denialist are out in force…
Kieran
DIVIDING the gay community over politics is just DUMB—–PERIOD. It’s also self-defeating. The only thing gays have in common is that we are attracted to people of our own gender. Beyond that we are all different individuals. Gay people come in all shapes, sizes, colors, political persuasions etc. etc. Demanding that we all march in lock step like little fascist robots behind a particular political agenda is never going to work. Diversity is GOOD. And that includes diversity of political opinion.
Daggerman
..well what a waste of time. The whole case was evidently stupid and he still needs to see a psychiatrist. Idiot.
CobraPowers
Obvious histrionic personality disorder.
Curtispsf
COBrapOWERS is a Scientologist angry that Tom Cruise turned him down for a date.
boymikefl
For all of you TROLLS, shame on you!
Chrisk
For all you naive idiots I say shame on you and by that I mean YOU!
iamru2
I bet you think oj was innocent!
Brian
Surely you don’t really think this means he didn’t do it. Whatever the reason for dropping the charges, I can guarantee you that them thinking he didn’t do it is absolutely not it.
Juanjo
I love all the lamentations of the crowd here. BTW iamru2, I doubt anyone doubts that OJ was innocent but if the cops had not planted evidence and lied on the witness stand the prosecution would have had a much better chance of getting a conviction.
As for Smollett, I think he did something but exactly what I do not know. I also think the cops and prosecution let their words write a check their evidence couldn’t cash.
iamru2
@ Juanjo I guarantee you there are many who believe that coward OJ is innocent!
NateOcean
Money talks.
Creamsicle
So nothing matters any more. The guilty can commit sloppy crimes all day and all night, and we just have to take it.
Chrisk
Well for you and I we’d be sitting in prison for a very long time. The justice system favors the wealthy and can be swayed by politics.
Blackceo
LOL…bish I’m just here for the comments cuz some of y’all are really gonna show your a$$ over this.
stephen_25
I know innocent until proven guilty. But I think if trump got away with Russia then Jussie has to be cleared too perhaps.
Brian
Because…… why exactly?
CobraPowers
Except Mueller didn’t get a check from George Soros for $400,000+ as judge Foxx did.
Kangol
Yep! And Jussie didn’t repeatedly lie about contacts with a hostile foreign power that we KNOW interfered in our presidential election either!
CobraPowers
@Kangol – NO RUSSIAN COLLUSION, NO INTERFERENCE WITH INVESTIGATION. The rest is you being a deranged, lunatic conspiracy theorist.
Aires the Ram
As they say, “Follow the Money”.
This is despicable and destructive.
This, in my opinion, was done in part, to make it look like the Chicago Police made this all up to harass poor little Jussie. The police are always wrong you know, just ask Barack Hussein Obama.
Apolodorus
?
I don’t have enough eye rolls for you…
Kangol
LOL!!!
jcoberkrom
I’m glad his lawyer’s got him a deal instead of trying to up their income and get themselves undeserved attention.
PinkoOfTheGange
My guess: the DA mock trialed the case and found out their star wittiness sucked in the box, and couldn’t prove the check wasn’t for personal training beyond a reasonable doubt.
Jared MacBride
Both of those things are probably correct, plus they didn’t think they could get a jury to buy in.
Juanjo
The government was trying this case in the media. It is entirely possible that their actual evidence did not support a conviction and they were hoping that with the negative publicity, Smollett would just plead out. When Smollett called the bluff, they folded.
ORPHEUS
This is an intriguing hypothesis that could–very well–prove accurate.
radiooutmike
You trolls think that JS did this to start a race war? Even Charles Manson couldn’t start one with the Tate-LaBianca murders.
You trolls are not even complete, you never mentioned Cory Booker.
Kangol
They also didn’t mention Mr. Coddling-Tiki Torch-Neo Nazis “Treasonous” Drumpf, who really does act like he wants a race war!
CobraPowers
@Kangol – NO RUSSIAN COLLUSION, NO INTERFERENCE WITH INVESTIGATION. At this point the only treasonous one is YOU slandering the president, exposing you as a deranged conspiracy theorist.
Vince
The Troll definition has been so watered down it means anyone who disagrees with me.
Brian
So what about the feds investigating the white powder that was mailed to the studio? Any chance he could still get nailed on that, the same way they got R Kelly on child support a few days after he bailed out?
Jared MacBride
The feds are still investigating the letter.
Brian
Good. Fingers crossed that he was dumb enough to lick the envelope to seal it.
Ronbo
Your divisive hate-mongering and racism is now apparent. It would be nice to have less of that.
Where is your apology you promised us if you were wrong about Smollett?
Juanjo
The fact is that the government dismisses cases all the time and for a variety of reasons. It is possible that Smollett worked out a deal where charges were dropped and all he did was forfeit his bond. That happens a lot in minor cases where there was no actual harm to anyone – i.e. property or persons harmed. It also happens frequently where the police and prosecutor initially believed that they were going to have evidence to support a great case and so they charged a slew of allegations, often followed by a little game of “let’s try the case in the media” only to discover that the actual evidence doesn’t support the case at all. Then there is the classic police tactic of “we know the bastard is guilty so let’s make sure he’s convicted by manufacturing some evidence” which then blows up in their face as it did in the OJ Simpson case.
So you believe whatever you wish to believe. The fact is the no prosecutor in his right mind would take a bribe in a case this public. Likewise with the record sealed any misbehavior by the government will never come to light nor will any possible misbehavior by Smollett.
Maybe he did it and maybe he did not do anything. I personally think he did something stupid but after 35 years of law practice, I know better to believe anything the police or a prosecutor say publicly. I learned that lesson in the first criminal case I ever handled. It involved a 30-year-old man who was arrested for having sex with a 17-year old young man. The police announced they had busted a pedophile and were seeking other victims. They also announced they had seized numerous pornographic tapes which they believed showed my client and his “numerous” victims.
The 17-year old was three months short of his 18th birthday and admits he is the one who started the affair. He was what the government calls an unwilling witness, i.e. he refused to cooperate with them. His parents who were staunch church members were the ones who brought charges. The tapes were commercial porno, mainly Falcon and Bel Ami. None contained any scene involving my client or anyone under age. Cops lie and so do prosecutors. There were no other victims.
Tony1129
Although you didn’t mention your former client by name, I still wouldn’t be discussing this on social media even as an example.
ORPHEUS
Juanjo, you present a very compelling case, and I thank-you for sharing it.—It should prompt us all with reasons to ponder…To ponder about our Laws, and of those that are sworn to enforce and/or interpret them being–always–deserving of intellectual scrutiny. And, to ponder our Society, and its un-tethered biases [from both sides].—While remembering that said biases, unleashed, can–oftentimes–inspire turmoil.
Xzamilloh
Eh, I’m fine with this. His career is still tarnished from this. Good look, Juss.
Xzamilloh
At least Jussie can focus on finding the real attackers, which I noticed he didn’t mention. But in the meantime, I am living for these reactions from the right.
Kangol
Tarnished among some, burnished among others. He is still cute as all get out, though! LOL
Brian
There is no question that it was the brothers, so why would he mention it? The charges have always been about who orchestrated it, not who did it.
TimothyBeauchamp
Those of us who have LEGITIMATELY been gay bashed want JUSTICE. Smollett needs to face appropriate investigation and justice. The American people need all the facts qqa s to why it was dropped! Fake attacks harm our LGBTQ community beyond description.
CobraPowers
Amen! This guy is a jerk who has done a great deal of harm to the community
ShiningSex
RICH PEOPLE!!! HE’S GUILTY. IF HE WEREN’T THEN WHY DID HE FORFEIT HIS BOND AND AGREED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE???? G U I L T Y ! ! ! !
Brian
Are you joking? Who in their right mind wouldn’t take a deal like that if they were facing 64 years in jail on 16 felony charges? You would have to be a drooling idiot to think the principle was more important.
PinkoOfTheGange
why the forfeit of $10k? The first day of trial would of cost him 5 times that alone.
Ronbo
Are you reading impaired?
“Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29th. He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public causing an inappropriate rush to judgement.”
am
So what’s Queerty official position here? One moment he was a hero, then a crook, now he’s what a hero again?
CobraPowers
Their position is LEFT
Jandrooey
Yes! Yes! Yes!
draven
Jussie, feel better man. I’m sorry for all that has happened to you. I pray and hope you can put all this behind you and move on with your fantastic life. I hope Hollywood gives you the royal treatment. You didn’t deserve to be treated the way you were treated and I thought that is was not right. I’m glad today was a good day for you. I had prayed that you would be alright. Take care Jussie. Love and happiness always.
Rock-N-RollHS
Lol. Are you some Oprah Moonie cult. You are clearly gullible. He forfeited his bond and will have to do community service–that is not indicative of innocence. I hope the guy never works again.
Brian
Get real, his career is over.
Blackceo
Do I believe Jussie Smollett was up to no good? I sure do.
Am I going to sit back and enjoy watching people seethe, whose tune is hella different from the other day when “does not exonerate” meant complete and total exoneration to them??? I sure am. LOL!!!
Ronbo
Where is your apology you promised us if you were wrong about Smollett?
/crickets/
Rock-N-RollHS
Don’t you just love when rich and famous people who decry racism and homophobia reap the benefits of being rich and famous.
Maybe next time, maybe he really will get bashed! Won’t that be satisfying.
CobraPowers
The latest news is that Kim Foxx, the judge who was handling the case
1) Got a big fat check from George Soros as “contribution”
2) Was head of the local PP
3) Seemed to be in communication with Michelle Obama representatives
So……………………
PinkoOfTheGange
Posted
Please Don’t Feed the Trolls.
Paco
Why did the judge order the public court file sealed?
PinkoOfTheGange
To pizz everyone off, is the only thing I can come up with.
Itsonlythetruth
I think it won’t matter that the charged were dropped the damage has been done. I believe his career is over.
Brian
I never understood why Jussie continued to claim innocence when it was obvious that there was plenty of evidence to convict him. It seemed strange to risk that much jail time for something he could easily make a pretty good plea deal with no jail time.
Now I wonder if he knew all along that he had whoever fixed this for him in his pocket, and that chances were very good that this would happen.
PinkoOfTheGange
Or the evidence and witnesses sucked.
MISTERJETT
maybe he was innocent!!!!
LostMyClothesAgain
BriBri, There was circumstantial evidence against Smollet but that is insufficient to convict. Smollet should never have been indicted. Unless evidence and federal charges result from the letter, drop the matter and move on. Your courtroom is adjourned.
Brian
But Jussie’s story sucked even more. He had to know how many holes were in it and how much couldn’t be reasonably explained, such as the attack happening in less than 60 seconds and all of the redacted phone calls to the brothers. It seems like a really, really dangerous gamble, especially after being charged with 16 felonies.
PinkoOfTheGange
But Smollett doesn’t have to go up on the stand and convince people he didn’t do it. The DA has to get others up there and prove he did.
Brian
Yes, that is the case in every single trial. In fact, that’ is the literal job definition of a DA. People make plea deals all the time, and like I said, risking 64 years in jail is a big gamble, especially when it’s obvious to anyone with common sense that you’re guilty.
And LostMyClothes, by your logic unless there was actual audio and video of somebody orchestrating a crime, or a notarized letter spelling it out, nobody would ever be convicted. Which OBVIOUSLY isn’t the case. Plus, phone records and video footage are physical evidence dear, not circumstantial.
PinkoOfTheGange
What is moral, just and legal are three different things, and in court only last one matters.
Plus the DA has to convince all twelve people, that weren’t bright enough to get out of jury duty, they are right on the facts and right on the law, AND get over the juries’ own, perhaps twisted, sense of justice and morals.
Common sense is personal morals, sense of justice and wisdom.
Brian
Again, I know how trials work. Not sure why you’re not getting my point but I give up.
Ronbo
Where is your apology you promised us if you were wrong about Smollett?
/crickets/
iamru2
Black privilege oh wait white privilege no GREEN privilege trumps both lol
CobraPowers
Add to that Liberal BFF with the Obamas privilege
MISTERJETT
maybe, just maybe Jussie was telling the truth. maybe the two Nigerian brothers should be arrested because they were the ones who were lying. maybe, just maybe the Chicago police should be out there looking for the people who attacked Jussie so they won’t do what they did to someone else. maybe O.J. killed his wife. maybe Casey Anthony killed her little girl.
iamru2
Did you miss the part where the brothers admitted they did it and Jussie said his attackers were white?
Brian
So now you’re saying that the brothers lied when they confessed? Why would they say they did it if they didn’t? Why would they be on video buying the supplies used in the hoax? Why would Jussie redact his numerous phone calls to them if they were just associated with him as trainers? OBVIOUSLY it wasn’t someone else.
Pull your head out of your butt dude. Your willingness to completely ignore logic and reason to constantly defend this guy is embarrassing.
LostMyClothesAgain
Jussie was a couple seats away from me at the Janet Jackson concert in Chicago. He is definitely cute friendly and sweet. Not cruisy but a nice guy.
iamru2
You know he’s a nice guy because ??????
Brian
Because he didn’t fake a hate crime on him.
EZinHTown
Notice how he agreed to forfeit the bond. Bond was $100,000. You don’t give that up if you are completely innocent. I hope he is able to turn around and do good in the world. Hopefully he’s learned a valuable lesson.
PinkoOfTheGange
Bail was 100k cash bond was 10k. He only forfeited the 10K.
Even if it was 100k that is less than trial prep and a few days in court.
Brian
You absolutely give that up if they are offering you punishment that is served in hours instead of years. Are you insane?
StupidBoy
Good for him.
Ronbo
Note that several “outspoken” haters on this site promised to apologize if proven wrong. Where is your apology Brian?
“Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29th. He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public causing an inappropriate rush to judgement.”
Vince
Except he hasn’t been proven wrong. Only a complete moron would still be buying his obviously fabricated story.