On this week’s episode of Empire…Jussie Smollett has seemingly dodged a big bullet in his criminal case that had him standing accused of filing a fake police report in which it was being alleged that he staged a hate crime against himself for publicity. Jussie’s lawyers announced today that all criminal charges have been dropped and his record expunged.
Smollett’s lawyers Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes had this to say in a statement about the case being dropped:
“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 judgment.”
Coming after a suddenly called court hearing this morning in Chicago, Smollett has received what is known as a “deferred prosecution deal” from the state. Regardless, we may never know the details of the deal, as all the records have been sealed. Needless today, unless we get some leaks, the full circumstances behind this crazy case may always remain a mystery.
The Empire actor was arrested on multiple felony charges last month for allegedly staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in the early morning of January 29. Smollett has strongly denied the accusations. He also was accused of sending a threatening letter to himself, which was received at Cinespace Studios a week before the alleged attack. While the Chicago P.D. believes that Smollett orchestrated the letter, the FBI could never substantiate those claims.
Smollett, with his attorneys, gave the following statement to the press after the charges were dropped:
“First of all I want to thank my family, my friends, the incredible people of Chicago and all over the country and the world who have prayed for me, who have supported me and who have showed me so much love. No one will ever know how much that has meant to me and I will be forever grateful. I want you to know that not for a moment was it in vain. I have been truthful and consistent on every level since day one. I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I’ve been accused of.”
It would appear that the Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel, and the Chicago P.D. still think Jussie is guilty as sin. Emanuel was visibly angry along with Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson during a press conference where they called the prosecutors dismissal of criminal charges against the actor, “a whitewash”. Johnson voiced once again that the actor orchestrated that hoax for financial gain and he and his department continue to stand by that stance. Emanuel then blasted the actor for using a hate crime in a selfish ploy to benefit himself: “He took those laws and turned them inside out and upside down,” Emanuel said, repeatedly reminding reporters that a grand jury heard the case and brought the charges against Smollett.
Johnson also believes that justice has not been served. Johnson said that Smollett and his lawyers have chosen to “hide behind secrecy and broker a deal to circumvent the judicial system.” At the end of the conference, Emanuel stated: “Is there no decency in this man?” This statement makes it very clear where law enforcement still stands on this matter.
Fox, home of Empire on which Smollett is one of the stars, also chimed in after the case was dropped:
“Jussie Smollett has always maintained his innocence and we are gratified that all charges against him have been dismissed.”
It’s a short and sweet statement but it would appear the network is behind him once again. Whether or not he comes back to the show is probably still up in the air and the future of the show may be up in the air too. Last Wednesday’s episode recorded the lowest demo rating for the show since it began, a mere 1.1 demo rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic. When the best drama is playing out in real life, who needs to watch the show, right?
