In a major twist in this saga, all 16 criminal charges against Empire star Jussie Smollett have been dropped. He was back in court Tuesday for an “emergency appearance.”
His lawyers said in a statement: “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.”
Smollett had been indicted on 16 felony charges after police said he staged a racist and homophobic attack and filed a false police report. The actor and musician alleged that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack by two men in Chicago in the early hours of January 29. Smollett claims the two men beat him, poured bleach on him and put a noose around his neck while shouting “MAGA country.”
He entered a not guilty on March 14.
Early Tuesday afternoon, the actor and singer made a public statement, saying in part: “Now I’d like nothing more than to get back to work and move on with my life. But make no mistake, I will always continue to fight for the justice, equality and betterment of marginalized people everywhere. Thank you for faith and thank you to God. Bless you. Thank you very much.”
You can watch it below:
BREAKING: Jussie Smollett speaks after all charges were dropped: “I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one. I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I have been accused of.” https://t.co/B2ahaJAW4t pic.twitter.com/0bgEBJFN33
— ABC News (@ABC) March 26, 2019
Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television released a statement saying: “Jussie Smollett has always maintained his innocence and we are gratified on his behalf that all charges against him have been dismissed.”
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Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images
