The curious case of Jussie Smollett has become an increasingly baffling mess as dueling statements continue to fly. On Wednesday evening, Smolletts attorney Patricia Brown Holmes released a statement condemning local authorities in response to what she called a “smear campaign” against her client, whose 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct were dropped on Tuesday.
Local prosecutors decision to drop the charges against the Empire star, in exchange for Smollett forfeiting his $100,000 bond and with consideration to his volunteer service in the community, came as a shock to many—including, it seems, the Chicago police. Superintendent Eddie Johnson slammed the decision in a press conference alongside the citys incensed mayor, Rahm Emanuel, who called the outcome a “whitewash of justice.” In her statement, Deadline reports, Holmes said she was “disappointed” that local authorities have continued to question the decision.
“The facts are clear,” Holmes wrote. “The Assistant States Attorney appeared in court and dismissed the charges. Mr. Smollett forfeited his bond. The case is closed. No public official has the right to violate Mr. Smolletts due process rights. Mr. Smollett, like every citizen, is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Mr. Smollett is entitled to the same Constitutional protections as any citizen charged by the government with a crime—including the right to speak freely about his innocence, the right to be viewed as innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and the right to hold the State to its burden of proving him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
“None of that has occurred in this case,” Brown continued. “We respectfully request all government agencies involved live up to the ethical tenants [sic] of their office, state and local law, Supreme Court Rules on Trial Publicity as well as the Rules of Professional Responsibility for lawyers and prosecutors. We will not try this case in a court of public opinion. There is no case to try. The case was dismissed. We should all allow Mr. Smollett to move on with his life as a free citizen.”
Representatives for the Chicago police and Emanuel did not immediately respond to V.F.s requests for comment.
Smollett, who has consistently maintained his innocence, was hospitalized in January following what he described as a racist and homophobic attack; the police initially investigated the incident as a hate crime, but eventually alleged that Smollett himself had staged the attack, calling him “troubled” in a fiery address.
Mondays reversal stunned spectators, who had not expected prosecutors to make any such decision—but in its own statement Wednesday, Deadline notes, the States Attorneys office insisted that for nonviolent crimes, an outcome such as this one is “not a new or unusual practice.” More importantly, the statement added, “An alternative disposition does not mean that there were any problems or infirmities with the case or the evidence.” First Assistant Cook County States Attorney Joseph Magats, who dropped the charges against Smollett, indicated as much in his own interview Tuesday with CBS Chicago: “I do not believe he is innocent,” Magats said.
Meanwhile, the future of Empire and Smolletts potential involvement in future seasons remain uncertain. The series has yet to be renewed, although Deadline reports that a renewal seems likely. That said, a source also told Deadline that Smolletts legal situation could complicate matters: “Things are so unclear and there is a feeling that this isnt over—that theres more to come.” The F.B.I., for instance, is continuing to probe into the threatening letter Smollett received a week before his attack—a missive that Chicago police alleged Smollett sent to himself. In its most recent statement regarding Smollett, Fox responded to the dropped charges by sayinRead More – Source
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