Chicago police initially investigated the incident as a possible hate crime but later said Smollett staged the attack, recruiting two brothers to carry it out
CHICAGO — A grand jury in Chicago indicted Empire actor Jussie Smollett on 16 felony counts related to making a false report that he was attacked by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs.
The indictment — eight counts from what he told the officer who responded to the report of the attack and eight for what he later told a detective — comes a little more than two weeks after prosecutors announced one felony count of the same charge.An attorney for Smollett, Mark Geragos, called the indictment “prosecutorial overkill.” He said Smollett “adamantly maintains his innocence.”
During the investigation of the incident, several Chicago media reported that there were doubts about Smollett’s account, quoting unnamed sources. Some local media have reported that the police department is investigating alleged leaks. The second eight counts are more explosive because they include two things that helped propel the incident into an international sensation. The first is that by the time he talked to the detective, Smollett said he could see through the eye holes of one attacker’s mask that he was a white man. The two brothers who allegedly participated are black.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Empire actor Jussie Smollett indicted on 16 counts stemming from staged attackThe TV star was accused of filing a false police report, alleging he was attacked in Chicago by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs at him
Read more »
Jussie Smollett indicted on 16 counts stemming from reported attackA grand jury in Chicago has indicted 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett on 16 felony counts related to making a false report that he was attacked by two men in Chicago who shouted racial and homophobic slurs.
Read more »
Smollett indicted on 16 counts stemming from reported attackA grand jury in Chicago indicted 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett on 16 felony counts related to making a false report that he was attacked by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs.
Read more »
Chicago police looking for source of leaks in Smollett caseChicago police say they are conducting an internal investigation to determine the source of information leaked anonymously to media during the probe into 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett's claims he was attacked.
Read more »
Fans mourn loss of beloved Nova Scotia musician, actor Frank MacKayReports say that the New Glasgow-born singer, who was frontman for the legendary 1960s dance band The Lincolns, died following surgery.
Read more »
Actor Luke Perry dies at 52 after strokeLuke Perry, who gained instant heartthrob status as wealthy rebel Dylan McKay on 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' died Monday after suffering a massive stroke, his publicist said. He was 52.
Read more »
Luke Perry, actor known for Beverly Hills, 90210, dies at 52 | CBC NewsLuke Perry, who gained instant heartthrob status as wealthy rebel Dylan McKay on Beverly Hills, 90210, died Monday after suffering a massive stroke, his publicist said. He was 52. | CBCNews
Read more »
Luke Perry publicist says actor has died at 52 after suffering strokePublicist Arnold Robinson says Perry’s family and friends were with the Riverdale and Beverly Hills, 90210 star when he died
Read more »
Actor Luke Perry dies at 52Actor Luke Perry, best known for his role in the hit TV show '90210,' has died at age 52.
Read more »
Actor Luke Perry dead at 52The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' and 'Riverdale' actor died on March 4, less than one week after suffering a massive stroke.
Read more »