Prosecutors drop all charges against Jussie Smollett

[bhsmte]

I think the police screwed up....

I remember reading an article where his attorney said they were going after the police for "leaking" details to the public. My guess is that some court orders revealed the leak, it was probably in the police department, and they decided that convicting him wasn't worth the embarrassment of that kind of unprofessional behavior being exposed.

The case was sealed, right? So there's probably something embarrassing in there for the police as well as Jussie. They dropped the ball here.

I'm just curious about how this will affect his career now.

That could be.

 

[Ana the Ist]

When I was younger I used to find myself on the wrong side of the law quite often, I have been charged with far worse than disorderly conduct and filing a false police report as Smollett was, yet I have no felony convictions on my record. Let's not forget that Smollett still claims he is innocent and has yet to be found guilty in a court of law, so speculating that he got away with anything or that we may have gotten jail time if we were to find ourselves in a similar situation are premature.

No offense...but two people admitted to perpetrating the alleged hate crime on his behalf. He can claim anything he wants...I don't think it's unreasonable to believe he got away with perpetrating a hoax.

He's the OJ Simpson of hate crimes.

 

[JosephZ]

No offense...but two people admitted to perpetrating the alleged hate crime on his behalf. He can claim anything he wants...

Keep in mind that this testimony came from two people who have major financial problems, have both filled bankruptcy in the past, and one has a violent history including being found guilty of aggravated assault. Whose to say that they weren't just looking out for their best interest when they claimed they were playing a part in Smollett's alleged hoax?

I don't think it's unreasonable to believe he got away with perpetrating a hoax.

I agree that things don't look good for Smollett and he appears to be guilty of staging a hoax based on what has been reported.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

There's different courts and outcomes for the common man, and another for the rich and famous. If I staged such an attack against myself and lied to the police about it, I would see a very different outcome.

Not really. Usually courts try to make deals. Instead of going to trial. This is a non violence act. Where the prisons are loaded with the worst criminals.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Keep in mind that this testimony came from two people who have major financial problems, have both filled bankruptcy in the past, and one has a violent history including being found guilty of aggravated assault. Whose to say that they weren't just looking out for their best interest when they claimed they were playing a part in Smollett's alleged hoax?

The evidence. The hat, the rope, the bleach, the Uber driver who dropped them off near the crime scene. The sheer ridiculousness and unbelievable nature of the story. The magazines with letters cut out for the fake hate mail.

It doesn't seem likely that their confessions were fabricated. It seems extremely unlikely.

I can understand the impulse to look at this dismissal as justification for believing Smollett originally. It's probably worth keeping in mind that not being charged doesn't mean he didn't do it...and unless the police reopen the investigation into who perpetrated the "attack" against Smollett, they probably figure they had the right suspect.

I agree that things don't look good for Smollett and he appears to be guilty of staging a hoax based on what has been reported.

I'm just curious about the reaction he's going to get from this.

 

[Ana the Ist]

It's got to be an odd position for Smollett...because I don't think anyone in his industry is obligated to believe in his innocence. It's taken far far less suspicion to ruin the careers of some celebrities who never even got charged with a crime.

The way forward for those celebrities was typically an apology, some time out of the public eye, and then a low-profile project or two. In Smollett's case, he can't really apologize for anything without an admission of guilt. The charges were dropped...but if he admits to what he's done, he could very well face charges again...and prosecutors wouldn't need much more than his admission of guilt. I suppose he could wait until the statute of limitations runs out...but I don't know if his career can wait that long.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

Interesting.

I dont think they would have charged him without some evidence, but maybe a key witness or two doesnt want to testify or something, who knows?

I have a family member, that got an ID .Under someone else's name. The judge had him plead not guilty. Then the next time he went to court for it. Lawyers set up a deal for him . They had him pay $400, and do community. And it's not on his record anymore.It happens all the time. A slap on the hand.

 

[SummerMadness]

He's been exonerated and some people are still arguing as if he's guilty of something.

 

[bhsmte]

I wish life was that simple, with traditional black and white thinking.

 

[jkjk]

He's been exonerated and some people are still arguing as if he's guilty of something.

He was not "exonerated." The charges were dropped.

Prosecutors on Dropping Smollett Charges: 'We Did Not Exonerate' Him

 

[Tutorman]

Chicago prosecutors dropped all charges against Jussie Smollett, and the judge sealed the case, after Smollett agreed to forfeit his bond and conducted community service.

Goes to show that if one gives money to Chicago and one is famous one can just about get away with virtually anything.

 

[MyOwnSockPuppet]

He's been exonerated and some people are still arguing as if he's guilty of something.

He's neither been exonerated or convicted. In Scots law it would probably be recorded as "not proven" absence of evidence isn't the same as evidence of absence.

The net result is that people will carry on thinking what they were thinking before, double jeopardy doesn't apply, and we can all go on with our lives.

 

[Rion]

Even Obama’s former senior advisor is calling this out for being complete bull squeeze.

 

[SummerMadness]

It is rather clear, it was a complete and total exoneration.

 

[Rion]

It is rather clear, it was a complete and total exoneration.

LoL, no.

 

[Goonie]

It is rather clear, it was a complete and total exoneration.

And did Mueller completely exonerate Donald?

 

[variant]

It is rather clear, it was a complete and total exoneration.

Not really no.

Exoneration would mean we could prove he didn't commit the crime. When they drop charges it generally means they don't think they can demonstrate guilt.

I don't think we know why the charges were dropped yet.

 

[Chesterton]

Forfeit the bond. "Give us some money and you're free to go". Reminds me of that time when I was in Mexico and...oh, never mind.

 

[Moral Orel]

It is rather clear, it was a complete and total exoneration.

I think I'm the only one that gets it...

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

It's got to be an odd position for Smollett...because I don't think anyone in his industry is obligated to believe in his innocence. It's taken far far less suspicion to ruin the careers of some celebrities who never even got charged with a crime.

The way forward for those celebrities was typically an apology, some time out of the public eye, and then a low-profile project or two. In Smollett's case, he can't really apologize for anything without an admission of guilt. The charges were dropped...but if he admits to what he's done, he could very well face charges again...and prosecutors wouldn't need much more than his admission of guilt. I suppose he could wait until the statute of limitations runs out...but I don't know if his career can wait that long.

He still plays on Empire. I'm not sure they care about an arrest record. Even if this whole thing was to get more money. When they fire him. He's done. Unless he finds a show, that doesn't care about his morals.