An Illinois judge has ordered that the documents in Jussie Smollett's controversial case in Chicago can be released. Initially, his lawyers had argued that the documents be sealed to protect the "Empire" actor's privacy. Yet, it seems Smollett derailed his own case because he spoke so openly about the verdict.
"I have been truthful and consistent on every single level from day one," he said defiantly in a press conference following his court appearance.
According to Cook County Judge G. Watkins, there's no longer any "conceivable" reason why the documents should be kept secret.
"To be sure, it is easily conceivable that a defendant whose case was dismissed would wish to maintain his sense of privacy, even if, perhaps especially if, the media covered the case," Judge Steven G. Watkins wrote in the decision. "However, that isn't that case."
"While the court appreciates that the defendant was in the public eye before the events that precipitated this case, it was not necessary for him to address this so publicly and to such an extent. By doing so, the court cannot credit his privacy interest as good cause to keep the case records sealed," the decision said. (NBC News)
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In January, Smollett reported being attacked by two homophobic male President Trump supporters in Chicago in the middle of the night. The two suspects, brothers from Nigeria, eventually confessed to police that it was all a hoax and that Smollett had paid them to attack him. Prosecutors dropped all charges against the actor in March.
The same month, Trump tweeted that the DOJ and the FBI will be investigating the case.
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