Former Empire actor Jussie Smollett has been found guilty of orchestrating a fake attack on himself, then lying to Chicago police about it
Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett was officially convicted on charges after he staged an anti-gay racist attack on himself nearly three years ago and then lied to Chicago police about it.
In the courtroom as the verdict was read, Smollett stood and faced the jury, showing no visible reaction.
Smollett and his family later left the courthouse without comment
The jury found the 39-year-old guilty on five counts of disorderly conduct — for each separate time he was charged with lying to police in the days immediately after the alleged attack.
He was acquitted on a sixth count, of lying to a detective in mid-February, weeks after Smollett said he was attacked.
Outside court, special prosecutor Dan Webb called the verdict “a resounding message by the jury that Mr. Smollett did exactly what we said he did.”
Mr. Webb stated that Smollett “ wreaked havoc here in the city for weeks on end for no reason whatsoever,” – then compounded the problem by lying under oath to the jury.
Defence attorney Nenye Uche stated that the actor would appeal the conviction
Nenye Uche stated that Smollett was disappointed but “holding up very strong,” and is “committed to clearing his name.”
He expressed confidence the actor would be cleared by an appellate court.
