Law&Crimes's Vincent Hill Reports on the Alleged Attack of 'Empire' Star Jussie Smollet

TL;DR

Actor Jussie Smollett's alleged attack is now being investigated as a possible hoax.

Transcript

good morning everybody welcome to law on crime I'm Jesse Weber joined here by criminal defense attorney Randy's Ellen and thanks for joining us here on the network where we cover the most interesting live trials and legal stories in the news today we have a lot going on so let's get started right now we have an update in another celebrity case and ... Read More

Key Insights

• 👊 The alleged attack on Jussie Smollett is now being investigated as a possible hoax.
• 💦 Chicago police are questioning two individuals who worked for the show Empire, and seized potential evidence from their home.
• 📪 Red flags include the extreme weather, lack of surveillance footage, and inconsistencies in Smollett's account.

Questions & Answers

Q: What evidence points to the alleged attack being a hoax?

There are several red flags, including the extremely cold weather and lack of surveillance footage. Smollett's injuries also seemed inconsistent with being punched.

Q: If it is proven that Smollett staged the attack, what charges could he face?

Filing a false police report in Chicago, Illinois is a class 4 felony, punishable by up to three years in prison and a $25,000 fine, as well as two years of probation.

Q: What is the next step in the investigation?

The police are likely looking for communication records and unredacted cell phone records between Smollett and the two brothers. They will also review additional surveillance footage to gather more evidence.

Q: If the attack is proven to be real, will the investigators apologize?

If the attack was real, it is possible that the investigators would apologize, but since they have not confirmed that it was a hoax, an apology is not necessary at this point.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Chicago police are questioning two individuals who are linked to the alleged attack on Jussie Smollett.

• These individuals, who worked for the show Empire and are brothers, were caught on a plane heading to Nigeria.

• The police have seized a laptop and bleach-like substance from their home, and are currently interviewing them.