BREAKING: Chicago PD Superintendent Eddie Johnson discusses dropping of Jussie Smollett charges. https://t.co/uXZag7WjoQ
— ABC News (@ABC) 26 March 2019
He Faced 48 Years In Prison
Smollett had been facing up to 48 years behind bars on 16 felony counts of lying to police.
The Empire actor claims he was attacked by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs at him.
There is no doubt that brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo were the attackers, but it unclear why. The two were Smollett’s personal trainers.
Police say their motive was simple: Smollett asked them to and paid them to do it.
In his statement on Tuesday, Smollett gave no other explanation for the attack but said he had been truthful all along in his claims that he did not recognize them when they jumped him.
Will He Sue Chicago PD?
BREAKING: Jussie Smollett speaks after all charges were dropped: “I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one. I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I have been accused of.” https://t.co/B2ahaJAW4t pic.twitter.com/0bgEBJFN33
— ABC News (@ABC) 26 March 2019
“I want to thank my family, my friends, the incredible people of Chicago and all over the country and world who have prayed for me, supported me and shown me love,” Smollett told the press.
“No one will ever know how much that has meant to me. Not for a moment was it in vain,” he said.
After making his statement, Smollett took selfies with fans outside the courthouse then got into a waiting car.
He refused to say whether he planned to fight against Chicago Police Department or the prosecutor’s office for but said he would continue to “fight for justice” and for the “marginalized” people of the world.
