amount of attention that the hoax did. >> tonight smollett is maintaining his innocence which could make it worse, and he has given fodder for those that say bias crimes are exaggerated. push back is that solving other crimes of this nature is not as big a priority. the whole thing is a mess. let's bring in someone that once knew the accused and stood behind him initially after the first report. actor, radio host, d.l. hugley. d.l., thank you for joining us. >> anything for you, man. >> i appreciate it. i wish we had something better to talk about. initially you tweeted that you felt for jussie smollett. you didn't like what was happening. but now, you have your own reservations and you think this is not what he said it was. >> well, i tell you what, i think that in this country we