Jussie Smollett must stand trial over the alleged 2019 hate crime hoax; a Cook County judge has denied his dismissal request.
Judge James Linn denied the last-ditch attempt by the lawyer of the disgraced actor to get the case dismissed on Friday; he says the jury selection for Smollett’s trial will begin on November 29, according to a report by Page Six.
Smollett’s attorney reportedly argued that bringing him to court would violate his rights since community service has already been performed. A $10,000 bond has been given up as part of a previous agreement with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.
However, Judge Linn disagreed, stating he would not interrupt the case, which a prosecutor appointed by another judge leads.
Smollett is accused of lying to the police; in early 2019, he reported that racist and homophobic individuals wearing red hats and yelling “MAGA country” attacked him in downtown Chicago.
The disgraced actor is charged with filing a false police report, which he provided a creative account of his supposed encounter with Trump supporters, claiming he was beaten and had bleach poured on him. A rope was looped around his neck before he was informed he was in “MAGA country” Chicago.
However, the Chicago police investigation claimed Smollett orchestrated the attack. He was arrested and charged with fraud. Investigators undercovered that Smollett had paid two Nigerian brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo, to stage the hate crime against him.
In February, a Chicago CBS affiliate obtained a video of the two brothers purchasing ski masks from a store a day before the purported assault.
The case was quickly dismissed by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, Smollett was released, and charges were dropped.
A special prosecutor was assigned by a judge, who charged Smollett with disorderly conduct over the police reports. Smollett has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
