• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home Lifestyle

Chicago judge may tap special prosecutor to review actor Jussie Smollett’s case

23 August 2019, 2:15 PM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
Jussie Smollett has denied staging the attack.

Jussie Smollett has denied staging the attack.

Image: Reuters

Jussie Smollett has denied staging the attack.

The case of ex-“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, who sparked a firestorm in Chicago by reporting a racist attack authorities have ruled a hoax, returns to court on Friday, when local media say a judge may tap a special prosecutor to review the case. The actor, who is black and gay, stunned the city when he told police on 29 January that two masked men threw a noose around his neck and poured chemicals on him while yelling racist and homophobic slurs and expressing support for US President Donald Trump.

A month later, State’s Attorney Kim Foxx charged Smollett, best known for his role as a gay musician on the Fox Television hip-hop drama “Empire,” with filing a false police report and accused him of paying $3 500 to two men to stage the attack to generate public sympathy.

Smollett has denied staging the attack.

Foxx also recused herself from the case because of conversations she had about the incident with one of Smollett’s relatives.

In March, to the dismay of local politicians and police officials, Foxx’s office dropped the charges, saying an agreement by Smollett to forfeit his $10 000 bond was a just outcome.

Cook County Judge Michael Toomin scheduled a status hearing related to the case for Friday. Court records do not indicate the purpose of the hearing, but local newspapers reported the only outstanding item remaining in the case is for Toomin to name a special prosecutor.

In June, Toomin said he would appoint a special prosecutor to the case after receiving a petition from former Illinois appellate court Judge Sheila O’Brien. Toomin said at the time the case’s “unprecedented irregularities” warranted the appointment “to restore the public’s confidence in the integrity of our criminal justice system,” the Tribune reported.

The special prosecutor could bring fresh charges against Smollett and charges against anyone else who is believed to have committed a crime during the incident and investigation, the Tribune reported, citing Toomin’s ruling in June.

The actor’s criminal defence attorney, Mark Geragos, could not be reached for comment.

Smollett was written out of the final two episodes of “Empire” this season after he was charged with staging the hate crime.

Share article
Tags: ChicagoJudge Michael ToominEmpireJussie Smollett
Previous Post

SABC to broadcast PSL games again

Next Post

Uganda blocks online access to Rwandan newspaper

Related Posts

Humpback whales on 
South Africa's picturesque east and west coast.

Plettenberg Bay celebrates World Whale Heritage status ahead of Tourism Month

5 September 2023, 1:51 PM
Humpback whales on 
South Africa's picturesque east and west coast.

South Africa’s east and west coasts witness annual whale migration from Antarctica

24 July 2023, 8:33 AM
Bokamoso Arts Institute at the World Choir Games in Korea.

Bokamoso Chorus greeted with clamour, cheer after being crowned World’s Best Choir

15 July 2023, 11:05 AM
Morning commute traffic streams past the Meta sign outside the headquarters of Facebook parent company Meta Platforms Inc in Mountain View, California, U.S. November 9, 2022.

Meta to launch Twitter-like app Threads

4 July 2023, 7:24 AM
Side view of a bottle with salt...

NRF research shows SA salt restriction legislation effective despite high intake at home

29 June 2023, 12:07 PM
French Musician FKJ.

Popular music festival In the City welcomes French Kiwi Juice to Mzansi

22 June 2023, 6:35 PM
Next Post
Uganda's communications regulator asked all internet service providers to block access to New Times website in the country, the regulator's executive director told Reuters.

Uganda blocks online access to Rwandan newspaper

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Six beaches in Durban flagged with high levels of E.coli
  • Visitors planning to visit the Overberg region urged to postpone their trips
  • Western Cape on high alert following severe storm warning
  • Steam trains revived in the Western Cape amid Heritage Day celebrations
  • A level two weather warning issued for southern KZN
  • High waves and rough water conditions force beach closures in the Western Cape
  • Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to rest in the town he built and nurtured
  • NSPCA files criminal case against Julius Malema for alleged animal cruelty
  • Snow, heavy rainfall expected in parts of KZN: SAWS
  • Cold-front sweeps across SA bringing snow and chilly temperatures
  • Zoleka Mandela to be buried at the Fourways Memorial Park
  • Police investigate fatal shooting on R40 in Hazyview
  • Dudu Myeni appears in Richards Bay court on fraud, corruption charges
  • Officials on the run as corruption allegations rock Sekhukhune District Municipality
  • Mandla Mandela urges respect for Zoleka’s peaceful rest

LATEST

SABC building in Auckland Park.
  • Business

SABC confident amidst financial loss


Mandla Mandela.
  • South Africa

Mandla Mandela urges respect for Zoleka’s peaceful rest


[File Image] Aziz Pahad addressing an event.
  • Politics

Pahad hailed as a fine diplomat


[FILE IMAGE] Former SAA Board Chairperson Dudu Myeni.
  • Business

Dudu Myeni gets R10 000 bail


Penguins at Antarctica
  • South Africa

SA learners invited to join Matrics in Antarctica initiative


[FILE IMAGE] Doctor's room.
  • South Africa

Sekhing community gets healthcare centre


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous SABC to broadcast PSL games again
Next Uganda blocks online access to Rwandan newspaper