“I still want to believe with everything that has happened, that there is something called justice. Cuz if I stop believing that, then what’s it all for?” Jussie Smollett to ABC News on February 14, prior to Smollett being charged with faking a hate crime against himself.
Here is ABC’s Good Morning America on February 21st, the morning that Smollett turned himself in to Chicago police. Note that no cameras were there to record Smollett entering the police building when often times media outlets are tipped off in advance to get the video of a “perp walk.”
"Empire" actor Jussie Smollett is in police custody and has been charged with felony disorderly conduct for filing a false report, according to police and the state attorney's office. @EvaPilgrim has the latest on his arrest. https://t.co/HuliI9y5rg pic.twitter.com/F8yhh5EjMQ
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 21, 2019
ABC legal analysts weigh in on how the justice system could handle the case going forward.
What's next for Jussie Smollett? @danabrams and @sunny discuss the legal implications of Smollett turning himself in earlier this morning. https://t.co/HuliI9y5rg pic.twitter.com/gJshhD196i
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 21, 2019
After his release from police custody, Smollett was driven to the Empire set at Cinespace Studios where he reportedly told castmates “I swear to God I didn’t do this.”
Smollett’s attorneys say their client vehemently denies all of the charges.
Illinois assistant state attorney Risa Lanier listed all of the evidence that Smollett will have a hard time disproving. The police have texts, phone records, store receipts, and public surveillance video that confirms Smollett’s funding, communication, and direction of the specifics of the hoax hate crime.
Before Smollett was charged, many media personalities used the “hate crime” premise to demonize America. Of course, conservative Fox News host Tucker Carlson pushed back against Smollett’s account long before police charged him with fabricating the entire episode.
Jussie Smollet’s black eye was faked. The one he gave America is all too real.
Just so I understand, @therealroseanne makes one ill-advised tweet and loses her life's work immediately. #JussieSmollett now exposed by the Chicago PD as the suspect behind and orchestrated hoax and he still has a job on @Empire? Do I have that right, @FoxTV?
— Joe Pags Pagliarulo (@JoeTalkShow) February 21, 2019
Some luminaries are backtracking their initial outrage in defense of Smollett. Other rush-to-judgment celebs and politicians remain silent.
Here’s a small sample of recent fake “hate crime” reports. It’s just like pro wrestling, we keep falling for the same stupid tricks.
I see liberal twitter has forgot all the previous hoaxes they fell for and saying this ONE HOAX is what we’re upset about. Adorable how they reset after each one.
— EducatëdHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) February 17, 2019
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me hundreds of times, I’m an idiot.
