Smollett reported in January 2019 that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in downtown Chicago, but prosecutors allege he staged the assault.
A Chicago police detective testified in Jussie Smollett’s trial Wednesday that the former „Empire“ actor appeared „upset“ when he was informed that a surveillance camera did not record his alleged attack in 2019, the Associated Press reported. Kimberly Murray, the detective, also said that Smollett was initially uncooperative when she interviewed him, including refusing to give medical records or a DNA swab. Smollett reported in January 2019 that he was the victim of a targeted racist and homophobic attack by two men in downtown Chicago, but prosecutors allege that he staged the assault. He is charged with six counts of felony disorderly conduct, one count for each instance in which he gave an allegedly false report to three different officers, the AP reported. Smollett could potentially be sentenced to up to three years in prison if convicted, though experts believe he would more likely be given probation and a community service order. Murray said that Smollett appeared troubled when she explained to him that a nearby pod surveillance camera was pointed away from the scene of the alleged attack and that a cover on the device made it impossible to know which way it was facing, according to the AP. Smollett also told her that he received a threatening phone call days before, but he would not hand over his cellphone for inspection even though it could have helped in the investigation, Murray said. For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below. A Chicago police officer testified Tuesday that investigators tracked down two possible suspects in the assault—brothers who also worked on the „Empire“ set in Chicago—using surveillance video and taxi and rideshare records.
