In a not-so-shocking twist of fate, Chicago prosecutors have dropped all charges against actor Jussie Smollett.
Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts a few weeks ago for allegedly filing a false police report. Quite frankly, The Chicago Police Department’s case was filled with questionable evidence and holes from the start.
And Fair360, formerly DiversityInc is a news outlet that raised questions over the alleged evidence against Smollett.
Related Story: Actor Jussie Smollett in Police Custody, Some Things Just Don’t Add Up
Smollett has always maintained that he was attacked and had entered a not guilty plea.
According to reports, the state filed the motion to dismiss the case and the judge approved and signed the motion. The judge also granted a motion to seal the case.
His attorneys released a statement, saying, “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 Jan. 29. 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 judgment.”
The statement continued, “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.”
Finally, the attorneys concluded, “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.”
Cook County State’s Attorney released a statement about the case dismissal saying, “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.”
The CPD’s investigation was marred with assumptions and sometimes misleading, conflicting and dishonest information. There were aspects of their investigation that were outright illogical because evidence gathered stated otherwise.
For example, the check Smollett wrote for personal training services from the Osundairo brothers, which the Chicago Police continuously implied was for payment for the assault.
Even during the FBI’s investigation of the hate note sent to Smollett on the set of “Empire,” the agency suggested that Chicago police were jumping the gun with reference to Smollett being guilty of sending himself the letter. They concluded that it was likely that he didn’t.
The most saddening part of this debacle is Smollett’s career was on the verge of being destroyed due to shoddy police work by a department known for being corrupt and unethical. The public, celebrities and even his cast mates had turned on him. The sobering fact of this situation remains that Smollett had the means to fight to clear his name. Unfortunately, the average Joe doesn’t.
