Jussie Smollett Takes Stand in Own Defense During Hate Crime Hoax Trial

Wikimedia Commons, By Sister Circle Live

Disgraced former actor Jussie Smollett took the stand in his own defense on Monday in a trial in which he is accused of attempting to fake a hate crime on himself.

As NBC News reports:

CHICAGO — The actor Jussie Smollett took the stand Monday in his criminal trial for allegedly filing a false police report in 2019 — tied to an attack that prosecutors say he orchestrated for his personal benefit.

Smollett, 39, dressed in a blue suit and red tie, spoke as several family members and friends packed a front row of the courtroom in Chicago. The trial opened a week ago.

While legal experts say defendants are typically advised not to take the stand because they could provide inconsistent testimony, Smollett’s version of events may be necessary for the jury to understand the case’s confounding and twisting narrative. Defendants in recent weeks have also taken the stand in other high-profile trials, including Kyle Rittenhouse in Wisconsin; one of the men who pursued and killed Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia; and Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes in California.

….

Last week, prosecutors at trial closed out their case by calling siblings Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, who testified that Smollett hired them to stage an attack as a ploy for public attention and paid them with a $3,500 check.

If convicted Smollett could face up to three years in prison.


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Bobby
Bobby
2 years ago

Jesse lied and the jurors will understand that Jesse lied