# All Charges Against Jussie Smollett Dropped. Er, updated tried and sentenced **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 26, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562 "2019-03-26T15:28:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/1 "2019-03-26T15:28:52Z")
With no previous indication that this was planned, Cook County had all charges against Jussie Smollett dismissed: > **[In latest plot twist, Cook County prosecutors abruptly drop all charges...](https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-met-jussie-smollett-charges-dropped-20190326-story.html)** > > In a stunning reversal, Cook County prosecutors on Tuesday dropped all charges against "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett for allegedly staging an attack and claiming he was the victim of a hate crime. This has got to be the weirdest true crime case in the history of crime. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/2 "2019-03-26T15:32:30Z")
WTF? The two brothers admitted that he paid them to do this, and now the lawyer is talking about how these were “tragic” charges against this guy? Somebody got paid. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/3 "2019-03-26T15:53:55Z")
He apparently forfeited his bond and had community service, so it sounds more like some sort of plea deal than an actual vindication, although of course his lawyers are spinning it as exactly that. I have no understanding of what actually happened here, even after reading three different articles on it this morning. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/4 "2019-03-26T16:21:43Z")
The article on [Foxnews.com](http://Foxnews.com) had this to say: “Doubt was cast on the open-and-shut nature of the case when Fraternal Order of Police President Kevin Graham wrote the Justice Department following reports that Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx asked Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson to let the FBI investigate Smollett’s allegations that he was attacked by two masked men after the former chief of staff to former first lady Michelle Obama allegedly informed Foxx that Smollett’s family had concerns about the probe” Can anybody follow that? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/5 "2019-03-26T16:24:54Z")
_:shrugs:_ He still did it. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/6 "2019-03-26T16:27:02Z")
My jaw just dropped. And in other news, the murders of Nichole Brown Simpson and Ronald Lyle Goldman are still unsolved. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/7 "2019-03-26T16:32:53Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > WTF? The two brothers admitted that he paid them to do this, and now the lawyer is talking about how these were “tragic” charges against this guy? Somebody got paid. > [@jayjay](#): > > He apparently forfeited his bond and had community service, so it sounds more like some sort of plea deal than an actual vindication, although of course his lawyers are spinning it as exactly that. I have no understanding of what actually happened here, even after reading three different articles on it this morning. Assuming that it was, in fact, a plea deal. I wonder if it can or would be reversed if he or his lawyers start trashing the police in the media. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/8 "2019-03-26T16:35:02Z")
> **[In latest plot twist, Cook County prosecutors abruptly drop all charges...](https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-met-jussie-smollett-charges-dropped-20190326-story.html)** > > In a stunning reversal, Cook County prosecutors on Tuesday dropped all charges against "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett for allegedly staging an attack and claiming he was the victim of a hate crime. "Moments after Judge Steven Watkins allowed the dismissal, attorneys for Smollett issued a statement. “Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him,” the statement said. “Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29th.” Wow, they’re still going with “it actually happened”. I figured if he plead guilty and repaid the cost of the investigation then they’d work with him. Surprising, for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/9 "2019-03-26T16:36:58Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > The article on [Foxnews.com](http://Foxnews.com) had this to say: > > “Doubt was cast on the open-and-shut nature of the case when Fraternal Order of Police President Kevin Graham wrote the Justice Department following reports that Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx asked Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson to let the FBI investigate Smollett’s allegations that he was attacked by two masked men after the former chief of staff to former first lady Michelle Obama allegedly informed Foxx that Smollett’s family had concerns about the probe” > > Can anybody follow that? Here’s my take: the Smollett family was concerned about the validity of the local police investigation, so the State’s Attorney wanted to call in the FBI. The head of the police union wrote to the Justice Department objecting to any criticism being directed towards the local police investigation. The State’s Attorney’s desire to call in the FBI is casting doubt on the iron-clad nature of the local police case against Mr. Smollett. Mention of Michelle Obama is just gratuitous Obama-bashing by Fox and is irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/10 "2019-03-26T16:38:43Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > The article on [Foxnews.com](http://Foxnews.com) had this to say: > > “Doubt was cast on the open-and-shut nature of the case when Fraternal Order of Police President Kevin Graham wrote the Justice Department following reports that Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx asked Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson to let the FBI investigate Smollett’s allegations that he was attacked by two masked men after the former chief of staff to former first lady Michelle Obama allegedly informed Foxx that Smollett’s family had concerns about the probe” > > Can anybody follow that? Is this some kind of English assignment? That sentence is almost as confusing as… well, as the case. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/11 "2019-03-26T16:43:33Z")
No surprise here, rich and famous people have their own special rights when it comes to the judicial system. ---
**Author:** ![planetcory](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/planetcory/32/1032_2.png) [@planetcory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/planetcory)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/12 "2019-03-26T16:45:28Z")
I mean, the attack was clearly a hoax, but maybe a hoax organized outside of his knowledge? It’s easy to say, ‘he told us to do it,’ when you’re caught and desperately looking for an out. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/13 "2019-03-26T16:46:16Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > He apparently forfeited his bond and had community service, so it sounds more like some sort of plea deal than an actual vindication, although of course his lawyers are spinning it as exactly that. I have no understanding of what actually happened here, even after reading three different articles on it this morning. Sounds like what Robert Kraft was offered [Robert Kraft offered deal by Florida](https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/03/19/florida-prosecutors-offer-to-drop-charges-against-robert-kraft-in-prostitution-solicitation-case/) ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/14 "2019-03-26T16:47:23Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > The article on [Foxnews.com](http://Foxnews.com) had this to say: > > “Doubt was cast on the open-and-shut nature of the case when Fraternal Order of Police President Kevin Graham wrote the Justice Department following reports that Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx asked Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson to let the FBI investigate Smollett’s allegations that he was attacked by two masked men after the former chief of staff to former first lady Michelle Obama allegedly informed Foxx that Smollett’s family had concerns about the probe” > > Can anybody follow that? Smolett’s family is influential in politics. One of their friends is Tina Tchen, who was the chief of staff to Ms Obama. Ms Tchen asked Kim Foxx to ask the FBI to take over the case because the family had concerns with how the police department was handling it. When news of this got out, Mr Graham wrote the Justice Department that the police were doing a fine job and the FBI was not needed. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/15 "2019-03-26T16:48:41Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > Sounds like what Robert Kraft was offered > > [Robert Kraft offered deal by Florida](https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/03/19/florida-prosecutors-offer-to-drop-charges-against-robert-kraft-in-prostitution-solicitation-case/) Nothing like it. The charges were totally dismissed, he’s not in any jeopardy at the moment. Obviously there will be more to this story. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/16 "2019-03-26T16:54:49Z")
From TMZ: > [@](#): > > We’re told the State’s Attorney, Kim Foxx, told Chicago police she was dropping the case because Jussie would have only gotten community service if convicted and she said he has already performed community service so there is no point in prosecuting him. We could not find any record of Smollett doing community service. > > We’re told Chicago police are “furious” and feel something untoward is going on with Kim Foxx. > **[Jussie Smollett Charges Dropped, Mayor Calls it a 'Whitewash of Justice'](https://www.tmz.com/2019/03/26/jussie-smollettt-plea-bargain-charges-dropped-dismissed/)** > > Jussie Smollett criminal case has been dropped. > [@](#): > > March 13. Just days after Jussie Smollett told Chicago police he had fought off a pair of attackers who targeted him in an apparent hate crime, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx tried to persuade Police Supt. Eddie Johnson to turn the investigation over to the FBI. > > Foxx’s call to Johnson came after an influential supporter of the “Empire” actor reached out to Foxx personally: Tina Tchen, a Chicago attorney and former chief of staff for former First Lady Michelle Obama, according to emails and text messages provided by Foxx to the Chicago Sun-Times in response to a public records request. > **[Records: Former Michelle Obama aide, Smollett relative reached out to Kim Foxx](https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/3/13/18404894/records-former-michelle-obama-aide-smollett-relative-reached-out-to-kim-foxx)** > > Kim Foxx called CPD Supt. Eddie Johnson after she was contacted by former Michelle Obama staffer Tina Tchen, who knows the actor's relative. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/17 "2019-03-26T16:55:12Z")
It was a $100,000 bond that he forfeited. That’s not trivial or pocket change, even for Smollett. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/18 "2019-03-26T17:06:43Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > It was a $100,000 bond that he forfeited. That’s not trivial or pocket change, even for Smollett. The article says $10,000. Still a lot, but very bizarre. The state prosecutor has said that he already performed community service but there’s no record of that. If they dismissed all charges because he’s innocent why would he forfeit the bond? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/19 "2019-03-26T17:17:38Z")
He could have given $10,000 of his own money to a bail bonder, who “temporarily” came up with the rest of it,and now presumably the bonder will want the rest of the money… ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/20 "2019-03-26T17:22:12Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > The article says $10,000. Still a lot, but very bizarre. The state prosecutor has said that he already performed community service but there’s no record of that. If they dismissed all charges because he’s innocent why would he forfeit the bond? Thanks! I misread that amount, apparently. Still…even $10K is a weird amount to just give up if the CPD would really have no case against him. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562.md?page=2)