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Jussie Smollett: Timeline of the actor's alleged attack and arrest | Jussie Smollett: Timeline of the actor's alleged attack and arrest |
(2 days later) | |
All charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett - of staging a racist and homophobic attack - have been dropped. | All charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett - of staging a racist and homophobic attack - have been dropped. |
The story has taken quite a few twists and turns since he first claimed he was set upon by two men. | The story has taken quite a few twists and turns since he first claimed he was set upon by two men. |
Here's a full timeline of what's happened since January. | Here's a full timeline of what's happened since January. |
29 January 2019: The alleged incident takes place | 29 January 2019: The alleged incident takes place |
Chicago police say they're investigating a suspected racist and homophobic attack of Jussie - real name Justin - Smollett by two masked men which happened at about 2am. | Chicago police say they're investigating a suspected racist and homophobic attack of Jussie - real name Justin - Smollett by two masked men which happened at about 2am. |
They say the actor was punched in the face, had an "unknown chemical substance" poured on him and a rope wrapped around his neck. | They say the actor was punched in the face, had an "unknown chemical substance" poured on him and a rope wrapped around his neck. |
Jussie Smollett tells police the two attackers also made reference to MAGA (make America great again) - the slogan often used by President Donald Trump and his supporters. | Jussie Smollett tells police the two attackers also made reference to MAGA (make America great again) - the slogan often used by President Donald Trump and his supporters. |
He goes to a doctor and police describe his condition as "good". | He goes to a doctor and police describe his condition as "good". |
30 January: An outpouring of support from celebrities | 30 January: An outpouring of support from celebrities |
Stars including Viola Davis, Janelle Monae and TI come out with messages of support for the actor. | Stars including Viola Davis, Janelle Monae and TI come out with messages of support for the actor. |
His Empire co-stars including Grace Byers and Naomi Campbell also show support. | His Empire co-stars including Grace Byers and Naomi Campbell also show support. |
Grace Byers says: "This despicable act only shamefully reveals how deeply the diseases of hatred, inequality, racism and discrimination continue to course through our country's veins." | Grace Byers says: "This despicable act only shamefully reveals how deeply the diseases of hatred, inequality, racism and discrimination continue to course through our country's veins." |
Empire creator Lee Daniels posts and emotional video on Instagram, syaing: "Hold your head up Jussie. I'm with you." | Empire creator Lee Daniels posts and emotional video on Instagram, syaing: "Hold your head up Jussie. I'm with you." |
Comedian Steve Harvey says: "This is about coming to the aid of another brother that has tasted the brutality of hatred and racism and bigotry." | Comedian Steve Harvey says: "This is about coming to the aid of another brother that has tasted the brutality of hatred and racism and bigotry." |
31 January: Refusing to hand over his phone | 31 January: Refusing to hand over his phone |
Jussie Smollett refuses to hand over his phone to police investigating the attack. | Jussie Smollett refuses to hand over his phone to police investigating the attack. |
They wanted it to confirm details - including the MAGA references made - as the actor says he was on the phone to his manager at the time. | They wanted it to confirm details - including the MAGA references made - as the actor says he was on the phone to his manager at the time. |
A day later, the police say: "He's a victim. We don't treat him like a criminal." | A day later, the police say: "He's a victim. We don't treat him like a criminal." |
They say they won't demand the phone. | They say they won't demand the phone. |
1 February: Jussie Smollett speaks for the first time | 1 February: Jussie Smollett speaks for the first time |
The actor says he's "OK" after the incident. | The actor says he's "OK" after the incident. |
In a statement, he says: "The outpouring of love and support from my village has meant more than I will ever be able to truly put into words." | In a statement, he says: "The outpouring of love and support from my village has meant more than I will ever be able to truly put into words." |
He adds: "I am working with authorities and have been 100% factual and consistent on every level." | He adds: "I am working with authorities and have been 100% factual and consistent on every level." |
Chicago police also release pictures of two "people of interest" they want to speak to. | Chicago police also release pictures of two "people of interest" they want to speak to. |
Chief Communications Officer Anthony Guglielmi says "detectives are taking this development seriously". | Chief Communications Officer Anthony Guglielmi says "detectives are taking this development seriously". |
2 February: 'I'm the gay Tupac' | 2 February: 'I'm the gay Tupac' |
At a concert that had been planned for a long time, Jussie Smollett makes some more comments on the incident. | At a concert that had been planned for a long time, Jussie Smollett makes some more comments on the incident. |
"I'm not fully healed yet, but I'm going to," he says, reading from a piece of paper. | "I'm not fully healed yet, but I'm going to," he says, reading from a piece of paper. |
"Just because there has been a lot of stuff said about me that's absolutely not true." | "Just because there has been a lot of stuff said about me that's absolutely not true." |
Glancing at the balcony, he adds: "I'm sure my lawyer's sitting up there like 'No, Jussie, no'." | Glancing at the balcony, he adds: "I'm sure my lawyer's sitting up there like 'No, Jussie, no'." |
He says: "Above all, I fought... back." | He says: "Above all, I fought... back." |
"I'm the gay Tupac," he finishes, without explaining what he means. | "I'm the gay Tupac," he finishes, without explaining what he means. |
11 February: Phone records submitted | 11 February: Phone records submitted |
Jussie Smollett gives police a PDF file of his phone records, after they had originally asked for his phone and he'd refused. | Jussie Smollett gives police a PDF file of his phone records, after they had originally asked for his phone and he'd refused. |
But the files are redacted - some bits have been covered up. | But the files are redacted - some bits have been covered up. |
The police says there's no reason to suspect any wrongdoing from Jussie Smollett and are "not even looking at charges regarding filing a false report". | The police says there's no reason to suspect any wrongdoing from Jussie Smollett and are "not even looking at charges regarding filing a false report". |
14 February: 'Persons of interest' arrested by police | 14 February: 'Persons of interest' arrested by police |
The two people of interest are arrested and interviewed by the police, but not charged and not treated as suspects. | The two people of interest are arrested and interviewed by the police, but not charged and not treated as suspects. |
They are Obabinjo (Ola) and Abimbola (Abel) Osundairo, brothers originally from Nigeria. | They are Obabinjo (Ola) and Abimbola (Abel) Osundairo, brothers originally from Nigeria. |
They had worked as Empire extras, sometimes going to the gym with the actor, their lawyer says. | They had worked as Empire extras, sometimes going to the gym with the actor, their lawyer says. |
Some of the items seized from a police raid of their home include a blackface mask, an Empire script, phone, receipts, a red hat and bleach. | Some of the items seized from a police raid of their home include a blackface mask, an Empire script, phone, receipts, a red hat and bleach. |
On the same day, an interview with Jussie Smollett is shown on Good Morning America. | On the same day, an interview with Jussie Smollett is shown on Good Morning America. |
He suggests the alleged attackers were white, saying: "If I had said [the attackers] was a Muslim, or a Mexican, or someone black, I feel like the doubters would have supported me a lot much more." | He suggests the alleged attackers were white, saying: "If I had said [the attackers] was a Muslim, or a Mexican, or someone black, I feel like the doubters would have supported me a lot much more." |
On his refusal to hand over his phone, he says: "I have private pictures and videos and numbers... my private emails, my private songs, my private voice memos." | On his refusal to hand over his phone, he says: "I have private pictures and videos and numbers... my private emails, my private songs, my private voice memos." |
And speaking through tears, he says gay people should "learn to fight" these kinds of attacks. | And speaking through tears, he says gay people should "learn to fight" these kinds of attacks. |
Chicago police say they have "no evidence to support" reports that the attack was staged. | Chicago police say they have "no evidence to support" reports that the attack was staged. |
17 February: 'Trajectory of the investigation' has shifted | 17 February: 'Trajectory of the investigation' has shifted |
Chicago police say there have been "some developments in this investigation," a day after they release the Osundairo brothers without charge. | Chicago police say there have been "some developments in this investigation," a day after they release the Osundairo brothers without charge. |
They say they want to speak to "the individual who reported the incident" - Jussie Smollett. | They say they want to speak to "the individual who reported the incident" - Jussie Smollett. |
The actor's lawyers say in a statement: "Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with." | The actor's lawyers say in a statement: "Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with." |
They add it's "impossible to believe" that the Osundairos "could have played a role in the crime against Jussie or would falsely claim Jussie's complicity". | They add it's "impossible to believe" that the Osundairos "could have played a role in the crime against Jussie or would falsely claim Jussie's complicity". |
20 February: Jussie Smollett is charged by police | 20 February: Jussie Smollett is charged by police |
Chicago police say the actor is charged with "disorderly conduct/filing a false police report". | Chicago police say the actor is charged with "disorderly conduct/filing a false police report". |
Earlier in the day, a reporter in the US obtains footage appearing to show the brothers buying materials, including ski masks, that had allegedly been worn by the people who attacked the actor. | Earlier in the day, a reporter in the US obtains footage appearing to show the brothers buying materials, including ski masks, that had allegedly been worn by the people who attacked the actor. |
Mr Smollett's lawyers say they will "conduct a thorough investigation and mount an aggressive defence". | Mr Smollett's lawyers say they will "conduct a thorough investigation and mount an aggressive defence". |
The rapper 50 Cent, who had previously come out in support of Jussie Smollett, posts a picture on Instagram referencing the actor's "gay Tupac" comment. | The rapper 50 Cent, who had previously come out in support of Jussie Smollett, posts a picture on Instagram referencing the actor's "gay Tupac" comment. |
In the picture, he's put Jussie Smollett's face over Tupac's on the album cover for All Eyez On Me - and changed the album name to "all liez on me". | In the picture, he's put Jussie Smollett's face over Tupac's on the album cover for All Eyez On Me - and changed the album name to "all liez on me". |
21 February: Jussie Smollett is arrested | 21 February: Jussie Smollett is arrested |
Jussie Smollett hands himself into police and is arrested. | Jussie Smollett hands himself into police and is arrested. |
At a press conference, Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson says that Smollett "took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career". | At a press conference, Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson says that Smollett "took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career". |
He adds that the actor did it because he was "dissatisfied with his salary". | He adds that the actor did it because he was "dissatisfied with his salary". |
Police claim he also had sent a racist letter to himself at a Fox studio and paid the Osundairo brothers a cheque for $3,500 (£2,600) to stage the attack. | Police claim he also had sent a racist letter to himself at a Fox studio and paid the Osundairo brothers a cheque for $3,500 (£2,600) to stage the attack. |
Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox, the makers of Empire, issue a statement regarding the future of Jussie Smollett on the show. | Fox Entertainment and 20th Century Fox, the makers of Empire, issue a statement regarding the future of Jussie Smollett on the show. |
"We understand the seriousness of this matter and we respect the legal process. We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options." | "We understand the seriousness of this matter and we respect the legal process. We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options." |
President Donald Trump tweets about the incident, calling the actor's comments "racist and dangerous". | President Donald Trump tweets about the incident, calling the actor's comments "racist and dangerous". |
When asked about the alleged attack previously, the president had said: "I think that's horrible. It doesn't get worse, as far as I'm concerned." | When asked about the alleged attack previously, the president had said: "I think that's horrible. It doesn't get worse, as far as I'm concerned." |
Later that day in court, Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke says that the "most vile" part of the incident was the use of a noose. | Later that day in court, Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke says that the "most vile" part of the incident was the use of a noose. |
Smollett's lawyers issue a strongly-worded statement after the hearing, calling it an "organised law enforcement spectacle". | Smollett's lawyers issue a strongly-worded statement after the hearing, calling it an "organised law enforcement spectacle". |
22 February: Jussie Smollett is suspended from Empire | 22 February: Jussie Smollett is suspended from Empire |
The TV show's executive producers release a statement saying the actor won't be in the final two episodes of the latest series. | The TV show's executive producers release a statement saying the actor won't be in the final two episodes of the latest series. |
They add that the allegations against him are "disturbing". | They add that the allegations against him are "disturbing". |
25 February: Cheque called into question | 25 February: Cheque called into question |
Reporters in the US get hold of a copy of the $3,500 cheque allegedly paid to Abel Osundairo for the attack. | Reporters in the US get hold of a copy of the $3,500 cheque allegedly paid to Abel Osundairo for the attack. |
It's dated 23 January and says: "5 week Nutrition/Workout program (Don't Go)." | It's dated 23 January and says: "5 week Nutrition/Workout program (Don't Go)." |
ABC News reports that Don't Go is the name of a music video Smollett was planning to shoot - which is why he paid the brothers to get him in shape. | ABC News reports that Don't Go is the name of a music video Smollett was planning to shoot - which is why he paid the brothers to get him in shape. |
1 March: Osundairo brothers 'regret' getting involved | 1 March: Osundairo brothers 'regret' getting involved |
A statement from the brothers' lawyer Gloria Schmidt says they have "tremendous regret over their involvement in this situation". | A statement from the brothers' lawyer Gloria Schmidt says they have "tremendous regret over their involvement in this situation". |
It adds: "They understand how it has impacted people across the nation, particularly minority communities and especially those who have been victims of hate crimes themselves." | It adds: "They understand how it has impacted people across the nation, particularly minority communities and especially those who have been victims of hate crimes themselves." |
13 March: Empire returns | 13 March: Empire returns |
The first new episode of Empire is aired since the alleged attack. | The first new episode of Empire is aired since the alleged attack. |
Jussie Smollett's character Jamal Lyon features in the episode, which is down in the ratings, according to Variety. | Jussie Smollett's character Jamal Lyon features in the episode, which is down in the ratings, according to Variety. |
He is scheduled to appear in seven of the remaining nine episodes of season five. | He is scheduled to appear in seven of the remaining nine episodes of season five. |
14 March: Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty | 14 March: Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty |
Jussie Smollett appears in court charged with 16 counts of disorderly conduct and pleads not guilty. | Jussie Smollett appears in court charged with 16 counts of disorderly conduct and pleads not guilty. |
He must tell the court if he plans to leave the state of Illinois and is due back in court in mid-April. | He must tell the court if he plans to leave the state of Illinois and is due back in court in mid-April. |
20 March: Empire creator speaks out | 20 March: Empire creator speaks out |
Lee Daniels, the creator of Empire, speaks about the "pain and anger and sadness and frustration" he and his cast have gone through over the saga. | Lee Daniels, the creator of Empire, speaks about the "pain and anger and sadness and frustration" he and his cast have gone through over the saga. |
In an Instagram video, he adds that he and his team "really don't know how to deal with it." | In an Instagram video, he adds that he and his team "really don't know how to deal with it." |
He adds that Empire "was made to bring America together" and to "talk about the atrocities that are happening right now in the streets." | He adds that Empire "was made to bring America together" and to "talk about the atrocities that are happening right now in the streets." |
26 March: Smollett cleared of all charges | 26 March: Smollett cleared of all charges |
After an emergency court appearance, all charges against Jussie Smollett are dropped. | After an emergency court appearance, all charges against Jussie Smollett are dropped. |
In a statement, his lawyer says: "He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator." | In a statement, his lawyer says: "He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator." |
They add that his record "has been wiped clean." | They add that his record "has been wiped clean." |
But Chicago Police and the city's mayor stand by their case against Jussie Smollett, criticising the latest development in a joint news conference. | But Chicago Police and the city's mayor stand by their case against Jussie Smollett, criticising the latest development in a joint news conference. |
Superintendent Eddie Johnson says: "At the end of the day, it is Mr Smollett who committed this hoax, period. | Superintendent Eddie Johnson says: "At the end of the day, it is Mr Smollett who committed this hoax, period. |
"If he wanted to clear his name, the way to do that is in a court of law so that everyone can see the evidence... I stand by the facts of what we produced." | "If he wanted to clear his name, the way to do that is in a court of law so that everyone can see the evidence... I stand by the facts of what we produced." |
Mayor Rahm Emanuel says Jussie was "let off scot-free, with no sense of accountability for the moral and ethical wrong of his actions". | |
27 March: Lawyer says 'case is closed' | |
Jussie receives more criticism from Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel. | |
He calls the dropping of the charges "a whitewash of justice" and lashes out at Smollett for dragging the city's reputation "through the mud". | |
Illinois prosecutor Joe Magats, who decided to drop the charges, tells CBS he thinks Smollett is guilty. | |
But he explains the charges were dropped because Jussie forfeited a $10,000 (£7,600) bond payment and carried out community service. | |
Jussie Smollett's lawyer Patricia Brown Holmes says "the case is closed" and "no public official has the right to violate" her client's rights. | |
In a statement she says: "We respectfully request all government agencies involved live up to the ethical tenets of their office. | |
"The case was dismissed. We should all allow Mr Smollett to move on with his life as a free citizen." | |
28 March: Trump calls case 'embarrassment to nation' | |
US President Donald Trump tweets his thoughts on the case, calling it "outrageous" and an "embarrassment to the nation". | |
He also reveals the FBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ) will now be investigating the case. | |
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Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra - if you miss us you can listen back here. | Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra - if you miss us you can listen back here. |