The Chicago Police Department has released new video footage of its interrogations of "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett in the days following his report of a hate crime attack. Smollett claimed that he had been ambushed by two "probably Caucasian" President Trump supporters in January, who were wearing MAGA hats as they shouted racist and homophobic slurs at him and poured bleach on him. He also claims they tied a noose around his neck. Strangely, that noose was still on his body when officers entered his apartment.
It confused police.
Chicago Police enter Jussie Smollett’s home after report of racist and homophobic attack on Jan. 29. He’s still wearing a long white rope around his neck. @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/OeGIjsT6gb
— Megan Hickey (@MeganHickeyTV) June 24, 2019
"Do you want to take it off or anything?" an officer asks after seeing the noose.
"Yeah,” Smollett responds. “I do. I just wanted y’all to see it.”
Smollett then tells the officers that he doesn't want to be filmed, so an officer turns off his body-cam.
Hours of video and hundreds of files have been released in the investigation into Smollett's alleged hate crime and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office surprise decision to drop all 16 charges against him.
Reports suggested that the men who allegedly attacked Smollett were two brothers from Nigeria, who actually knew the actor. Potentially incriminating text messages that were discovered in the course of the investigation can prove that.
The actor maintains his innocence, but there seems to be no doubt in the Chicago PD's mind that Smollett staged the whole affair. In separate press conferences, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has demanded the actor repay the city for wasting their time and resources.