Empire star Jussie Smollett’s lawyer is trying to shift attention back to two brothers who told police they were paid by the actor to help stage a racist, anti-gay attack on him.
By Associated Press Reporters
March 27 2019 7:33 AM
Empire star Jussie Smollett’s lawyer is trying to shift attention back to two brothers who told police they were paid by the actor to help stage a racist, anti-gay attack on him.
After all 16 charges were dropped against Smollett following allegations he paid the men to stage an assault, his lawyer Patricia Brown Holmes said investigators should look into the role of Abimbola “Abel” Osundairo and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo, who are of Nigerian descent.
Ms Holmes said: “The two men who attacked him have indicated that they attacked him, so we already know who attacked him.”
Authorities still believe Smollett concocted the attack in which he said two masked men beat him in Chicago on January 29.
He also claimed they said: “This is Maga country” – an apparent reference to US president Donald Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again”.
Smollett, who is black and gay, also said the men doused him with a chemical and put a noose around his neck. Smollett also told a detective that at least one of the attackers was white, according to Chicago police.
Cook County first assistant state’s attorney Joseph Magats told reporters that prosecutors dropped the case because Smollett forfeited a 10,000 dollar (£7,600) bond payment and carried out community service.
Mr Magats also said prosecutors needed to focus their time on violent crimes in Chicago.
Authorities have said Smollett created the hoax because he was unhappy with his pay on the Fox show and wanted to promote his career.
