Smollett was a former actor of “Empire”, and his attorney said that Smollett’s rights had been violated because he had previously performed community service and surrendered a $10,000 bond under an earlier deal with Cook County prosecutors to drop the charges.
“A deal is always a deal. Attorney NenyeUche stated that this is an ancient principle.
Judge James Linn pointed out that Smollett was now being handled by a special procuror appointed by another judge, an arrangement he wouldn’t disturb.
Linn stated that jury selection for Smollett’s case would begin Nov. 29.
Smollett was a gay Black man who told police that two masked men assaulted him while he worked on “Empire” in Chicago. But, weeks later, he was arrested for filing a false police reports. Investigators found that he paid two brothers to stage the attack because he was unhappy with his salary and wanted to advance his career. However, the case was dropped.
Smollett was charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly ignoring police reports. Smollett has pleaded not guilty.
Uche attempted to dismiss the case, but he stated that Smollett wanted “nothing” more than to be tried by a jury to clear his name.
