he was once a rising star. but for the last three years jussie smollett has been fighting for his reputation and career. the 39 year old has always maintained he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack. but a jury didn t believe him. they found him guilty of lying to police. the story goes back to january 29, 2019. smollett was known then for his role in the hip hop drama, empire. he had claimed he was set upon by two men who targeted him for being black and gay. there was huge support for him from celebrities and politicians, including the now vice president kamala harris. but a police investigation eventually claimed he staged the whole thing, and he was arrested. at his trial, prosecutors said he did it to boost his profile and help his tv career. the two alleged assailants, brothers from nigeria, ended up being key witnesses, testifying
harbor, racism have no place in our streets or hearts. we re with you, jussie. harris said he is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings i know. praying for his quick recovery. an attempted modern dalyn muching. no one should have to feel for their life because of their sexuality and color of their skin. we must confront this hate. if you were the two leaders of the country who came out and said that and you have a jury decision, do you say something else? to say i got it wrong, i should have waited. hate crimes bill: that would be appropriate. dana: lying about it is also a crime. if they came out and said something today it would go a long way to helping the nation heal. january 29, 2019 when everybody was believing smollett. the last line from kamala harris we must confront the hate. it s all wrong. leo terrell, this is what he said last night. this is nothing more than an
has been fighting for his reputation and career. the 39 year old has always maintained he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack. but a jury didn t believe him. they found him guilty of lying to police. the story goes back to january 29, 2019. smollett was known then for his role in the hip hop drama, empire. he had claimed he was set upon by two men who targeted him for being black and gay. there was huge support for him from celebrities and politicians, including the now vice president kamala harris. but a police investigation eventually claimed he staged the whole thing, and he was arrested. at his trial, prosecutors said he did it to boost his profile and help his tv career. the two alleged assailants, brothers from nigeria, ended up being key witnesses, testifying againstjussie smollett. they said he had paid them to carry
it s time to cut the act. come clean. smollett is free on bond, his sentencing is in matter of weeks or months. the city of chicago has released a statement saying it s continued to move forward with the damages it seeking over $100,000 for the overtime of the resources the chicago police department spent on this case. gillian, mike. gillian: facing it looks like to be a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison but as you know our legal analysts tell us it s unlikely he ll serve any time. thanks so much. mike: when the story first broke back in 2019, prominent democrats and media members were quick to jump to smollett s defense. let s bring in media buzz host howie kurtz. welcome. let s take a look at some of the tweets from prominent democrats on january 29, 2019. joe biden. what happened today to jussie smollett must never be tolerated in this country. kamala harris. this was an attempted modern-day
prosecutors spelt out the impact this case has had on the city. 26 impact this case has had on the ci . ~ . . ., impact this case has had on the ci.~ ., . city. 26 chicago police officers city. 26 chicago police officers spent - city. 26 chicago police officers spent 3000 l city. 26 chicago police - officers spent 3000 hours of time costing the city well over $100,000 for a fake crime that never occurred and by the way a fake crime that denigrates what a real hate crime is. this story goes a real hate crime is. this story goes back - a real hate crime is. this story goes back to - a real hate crime is. this. story goes back to january a real hate crime is. this story goes back to january 29, 2019, just after midnight in central chicago. jussie smollett was known then for his role in the hip hop drama empire. claims that he was set upon by two men who targeted him for being black and gay. there was huge support for him from celebrities and politicians the now vice president kamala h