Jussie Smollett charges dropped

[George II]

Source: CNN

Cook County State's Attorney has dropped the charges against actor Jussie Smollett.

Here's what prosecutors said in a statement:

"After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case."

"Empire" actor Jussie Smollett was indicted earlier this month on 16 felony counts after authorities said he filed false reports of a crime.

The indictment charged Smollett, 36, with 16 counts of disorderly conduct.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/jussie-smollett-charges/index.html

---

More to follow.

[ADX]

1. LMAO...

...Mark Geragos stays winning...

[OhNo-Really]

31. Interesting factoid

Geragos is Avenatti's yet unindicted co-conspirator

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/california/articles/2019-03-25/michael-avenatti-charged-with-extortion-and-wire-bank-fraud

Things that make you go HUH?

Curious minds want to know if Geragos brought Avenatti into the Nike case..... We all know there is no doubt someone would like to take down Avanetti

Are we witnessing true eleventy level chess?

[ADX]

93. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised...

...Like him or not, Geragos has been playing the legal game at the master-level for a long, LONG, LONG time. He definitely knows what he's doing...

[33taw]

2. Why is his bond being forfeited if the charges are dropped and he made all appearances?

[certainot]

4. making a donation, thanking them for finally doing the right thing?

[33taw]

10. Would you make a donation for dropping trumped up charges? I wouldn't.

[oldsoftie]

19. Exactly. If the cops were wrong, they would return bond money before being sued.

This is bullshit because he's a star

[jberryhill]

79. No, it's not bullshit

Look, Jussie Smollet is no threat to public safety of the citizens of Illinois.

He did a dumb thing for attention, his friend called police, and he made a bad judgment. It wasn't his idea to call the police in on this thing in the first place.

The main social harm he did was that he cost the system a lot of money to run this thing to ground.

He's paid that back, is publicly humiliated, and everyone is made whole.

I just don't get why people have this need for vengeance, moral retribution, or what-have-you, when the fact of the matter is that nobody was harmed in any way by what happened. Some time and money was wasted, and that's being made back up.

It certainly doesn't merit the waste of any MORE time or money in the service of protecting the safety of the citizens of Illinois.

[oldsoftie]

94. Sorry, but for the damage that he did he should have to pay more than 10k.

Because people will now jump to his defense and believe he really WAS attacked, since he's NOT changing his story.

[jberryhill]

95. Damage he did to what?

Show me on the doll where Jussie Smollet hurt anyone.

He’s a major dildo who did a stupid thing.

If people want to believe dumb stuff, they’re going to believe dumb stuff. As if that’s some kind of big deal.

[oldsoftie]

96. The damage he did to people who are actual victims. He's made it even harder to come forward.

Its already hard enough for someone to report a crime like this thats REAL.
Now he has set back the black & gay community. Who already had a hard enough time reporting crimes like this and being taken seriously.

[jberryhill]

100. And some other dollar amount fixes that?

Explain the connection between $10k or any other number and “fixing” this hypothetical damage.

Him lying does not make it harder for anyone else to tell the truth.

[oldsoftie]

101. Real PUNISHMENT makes others think twice before trying to pull the same stunt.

But hey, next time some trump guy fakes something like this i hope you're ok with that guy getting off with a fine

[jberryhill]

104. I have no idea what you mean by that last remark

But punishment, even in capital letters, doesn’t “fix” the imaginary damage.

I do realize that a fixation on retribution, vengeance, and punishment are traditional liberal values. Or maybe not.

[oldsoftie]

113. "imaginary damage"? You cant see how faking a homophobic, racist attack is harmful??

Do you have ANY contact with people who have ever been victimized & realize the fear they have in coming forward? Obviously not.

[jberryhill]

114. You still haven't explained the connection between

"PUNISHMENT" in all caps, and this imaginary damage, no.

I'm sorry, just how many of these cowering victims have you had contact with since yesterday? (Since that is the relevant timeline for Smollet not being punished and their fear being increased)

One would think that if we put people on trial for doubting their stories, then that would be something to be afraid of.

[oldsoftie]

139. See #137. If you still dont get it after reading that, then you never will.

But thats the way it goes. Why have any laws at all for anything non violent? Just pay a fine and move on!

[The Mouth]

137. No, obviously they can't

And punishment as a deterrent is neither a 'conservative' nor a 'liberal' value, but common sense.

I'll grant that the guy possibly has psych problems - I have no idea not being a professional - but anyone who doesn't see that this is damned well a Big Deal because of the difficulty it will cause for people coming forward about real homophobic and/or racist attacks, how much easier it will be to dismiss such, probably can't be argued with.


Punishment, particularly in the form of humiliation, social scorn and financial pain is perfectly appropriate for someone who acts in a way that harms society. that doesn't preclude rehabilitation, forgiveness and growth, but it does mean doing stupid shit that potentially hurts others should come with a price. Not every drunk driver crashes or injures someone, but we penalize the behavior because not doing so increases the overall harm.

[RobinA]

126. They May Not Be Traditional

liberal values, but judging by recent discussions on this board they are becoming the new liberal values. I've never seen so much screaming for heads around here as I have the past couple months.

[jberryhill]

129. I know, right?

Smollet is a non-violent offender who poses zero risk of harm to the community and zero risk of re-offense. He's done community service and forfeited bond. Great. Move on.

The stocks-and-rotten-tomatoes gang can't handle that.

[Hoyt]

110. I agree. I only wish less wealthy and/or known folks would get similar treatment.

Smollet will be paying for this for a long time, hope he does well.

[jberryhill]

130. If you have some idea...

I would be curious to know the relative incidence of less wealthy or less well-known folks committing a similar offense. My offhand guess is that not too many people invite law enforcement into their lives for a look around because they wanted to enhance their media profile.

My understanding of this is that Smollet did not call the police, but someone else did, and then he was kind of stuck by his silly stunt to follow through with talking to them. So, it's not as if he even intended to engage law enforcement in the matter.

Be that as it may, I really want to hear about the youthful underprivileged offenders who are locked up for staging and reporting false crimes, for the purpose of comparing outcomes that so many people here on DU seem so familiar with.

I mean, given the number of "he's getting special treatment" posts here on DU, then there must be hundreds of these kinds of cases going on all of the time.

What is the "ordinary" treatment for this set of circumstances in which no non-participants were harmed and no property was damaged?

[Hoyt]

131. Not many folks would do this, but there are a lot of folks imprisoned when other

punishment would likely produce better results. That was my point.

[jberryhill]

132. Also didn't go to prison:

If you want to compare apples to apples, then get some apples.

[Hoyt]

134. Well, she was jailed for a time and ordered to undergo psychiatric counseling. Not sure what your

point is.

[jberryhill]

68. Bwwaaaahahaahahhaha

Oh, come on.

And the community service too.

Come on.

Pull my other leg, it's got bells on it.

[cwydro]

73. Lol.

No shit.

[certainot]

90. i still ain't heard if he was forced to give it up, maybe you know

[jberryhill]

91. It's confidential. You're not going to hear

[certainot]

103. ok. i though you had extra knowledge

[jberryhill]

105. No. Just actual relevant experience and education

[certainot]

108. i've never had to post a bond

[jberryhill]

109. I've helped quite a few people do that

[kcr]

115. How many times were the charges suddenly dropped less than a month after indictment?

Without a plea deal? Does that happen often?

[jberryhill]

117. Without a deal?

Never.

If anyone believes there was no deal here, they are hopelessly stupid.

If you look at my comments in this thread, I have not suggested there was no deal, so I don't understand your question. Of course there was a deal.

As far as statements anyone is making to the press, who gives a shit what anyone says to the press?

The number of criminal proceedings which actually go to trial is extremely low.

This is a simplified diagram, but do you see that fat blue line for "arrest" and those skinny little yellow lines for "corrections"?

[kcr]

118. There was no deal

The charges were dropped.

[jberryhill]

119. You believe what you like

If people with zero relevant knowledge or experience want to believe dumb things, that's fine.

[kcr]

120. I'm not "believing" anything. It's facts, reported in the news.

It wasn't a plea deal. They simply dropped the charges. Facts.

[jberryhill]

121. The news reporters would not know about the deal

You do not understand that the state can make quite a variety of different sorts of deals than a "plea deal" per se.

Nobody has to tell reporters about the terms of the deal.

As I said, you are free to construct your own reality out of whatever misperceptions you would like, including the apparent belief that news reporters would be told about a confidential deal by those who made it.

I'm going to guess that until recently, you believed that all cards were on the table with Jeffrey Epstein as well.

[kcr]

122. So, it's your claim that the DA is saying the charges are dropped, but they're really not?

You have no evidence of this other than this is how things are usually done secretly?

[jberryhill]

123. The charges have most likely been conditionally dismissed

And that if he violates any terms of the deal, then he has waived his right to object to them being brought again.

So, no the DA is not lying. The charges have been dismissed. So what?

Typically, in various kinds of arrangements, the case will follow a procedural route that would ordinarily give rise to a defense if the charges were brought again. This being a free country, people are free to agree to waive all kinds of rights, including those in the criminal procedure context. So, sure, the charges are dismissed. That does not mean that there has not been some kind of deal.

If you are willing to believe that Smollet agreed to community service and forfeiture just for shits and giggles, then you are free to believe whatever you like.

I'll tell you what you are also not going to see - lawsuits by Smollet against the police for false arrest or defamation.

[kcr]

124. How long do these arrangements usually take?

Are they typically three weeks after indictment?

[jberryhill]

128. Whenever the prosecution and defense are ready to sign off

Look, newspapers report things (a) that reporters observe, and (b) that people tell them. If I say, "cats can grow wings and fly", the newspaper will accurately report that I said, "cats can grow wings and fly". The fact that a newspaper accurately reports I said it, does not mean that cats will be able to grow wings and fly.

Now, if a newspaper reporter is reporting a direct observation that cats are growing wings and flying, then that's quite another situation, and one might want to look for corroborating independent reports.

In this context, a newspaper reporter is not going to have access to a sealed deal, and so is going to be completely dependent on what the parties have to say to the reporter. Often, the content of public statements is also part of the deal. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, maybe both parties have an interest in Smollet mitigating and repairing the damage to his career due to potential ongoing obligations. Who knows? I don't, and newspaper reporters certainly don't. Anything that that Smollet's legal team - the people who are handsomely paid to make Smollet look as good as possible - is going to be as favorable as possible to Smollet, and is not going to violate the terms, if any, governing what they can say. But there is no, none, zip, nada obligation on anyone's part to tell reporters the underlying or complete truth of the situation.

You might as well ask how often or how quickly the prosecution, after extensive investigative work and filing charges, simply just walks away from a case without an explanation or a deal. The answer to that one is also "not bloody often".

At bottom, this is a non-violent offense in which the alleged offender presents zero risk to the community and zero risk of re-offending. It would be a good idea if supposed "liberals" on DU got past their fixations on punitive justice, and got back to thinking about what the purpose of the criminal justice system is supposed to be.

And, look, if someone wants to believe that the purpose of the criminal justice system should be meting out punishment or vindication in response to internet poutrage, they are entitled to that opinion. Most professionals tend to think in terms of what best serves the broader public interest in safety and security.

[kcr]

141. It just seems to me that if this sort of thing happened all the time

Then we'd see reports of this sort of thing happening all the time. But not only do we not see this, reporters are quoting experts saying that this sort of "deal" is rather unusual. So, your contention that what happened really didn't happen because our justice system is really nothing but super secret stuff that we actually don't know about, and we actually shouldn't trust anything the reporters report about this super secret justice system because we're too stupid.

Nah. I think I'll go with what seems more likely. The DA dropped the charges because they didn't have a case. Because I've never heard any reputable legal expert talk about this tinfoily super secret shit.

[DownriverDem]

6. Could it be

to cover the costs of the court's time?

[33taw]

9. Probably not. The court works thousands of cases regardless of who are the parties/defendant.

I think the charges were aggressive, but that is not unusual. DAs charge based on the max that they can, knowing that some charges will be pled down or dropped. Something is odd with this.

[Major Nikon]

25. Doesn't seem all that odd

It seems more like what happens in cases every day all over the US that you never hear about. I think it would be more odd if this wasn't the outcome.

[33taw]

32. Really? Based on what statistic? Bonds a forfeited for failure to appear or comply w/ something.

Bonds can be forfeited for other reasons, but dropping charges is not usually one of them.

[Major Nikon]

33. 90% of all defendants never go to trial

https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/types-cases/criminal-cases

That's just in the federal system. I would expect state courts to have similar statistics if not even a higher percentage.

[jberryhill]

36. I can't believe people don't understand how this works

This is pretty freaking normal.

You forfeit anything you paid or was seized, you sign away most of your rights to defend against the charge, the state gives you some hoops to jump through, and if you stay clean for a period of time, the case goes away.

I can't believe DUers are acting as if this is in any way unusual.

[Major Nikon]

37. You can do the same thing with even a traffic ticket

Contact the prosecutor and offer to pay the equivalent of the maximum fine in exchange for a suspended sentence. Works pretty much 100% of the time.

[jberryhill]

39. I just can't believe so many people seem bewildered by this utterly normal thing

...particularly for a first offender with an otherwise clean record.

Unreal.

[former9thward]

57. He was not a first offender.

He was convicted in CA for lying to the police and a DUI. The Superintendent of Police, Eddie Johnson, and Mayor Emmanuel are livid over it. The Mayor and Police Chief do not become livid over a "normal" case.

The mayor and police chief blasted the decision and stood by the investigation that concluded Smollett staged a hoax. A visibility angry Mayor Rahm Emmanuel called it "a whitewash of justice" and lashed out at Smollett. He asked, "Is there no decency in this man?"

https://www.al.com/news/2019/03/jussie-smollets-attorneys-say-charges-he-lied-to-police-have-been-dropped.html

[jberryhill]

64. Oh, I didn't know that

It's the deal the prosecution made.

The mayor and police can put on a show to ritually express everyone's outrage all they like.

[33taw]

49. Yes, that is true. In state courts it is a higher percent that do not go to trial.

For example - way over 90% of misdemeanors and traffic cases which make up the bulk of criminal court filings are simply dismissed or handled with a single appeareance. But, they do not forfeit bonds to the court. That is unusual. Bonds are released when the case is completed. Sometimes they are used for fines. But, when a case is outright dismissed, bonds are normally released - there are no fines or costs.

This isn’t about Jussie, he should never have been charged with 16 counts. It is absurd that he was.

I don’t get why he had to forfeit his bond and that is odd.

[Major Nikon]

69. I'm sure it was part of the deal

It’s not as if the court can just unilaterally do that.

[Chin music]

77. Too bad they aren't the prosecutors going for the trump family, bc yes, thats how it usually happens

Pretty sure the bond money wasn't a big deal for the movie star to walk away from the case w dismissed charges. Court costs etc, were I he, I'd have saluted the judge and walked out wo a peep.

[pnwmom]

11. But why should he have to pay any costs of a false accusal?

[Mosby]

20. He lied to the cops.

Last edited Tue Mar 26, 2019, 01:40 PM - Edit history (1)

Thats a crime.

The prosecutors dropped all the charges against him for reasons unknown to us.

[pnwmom]

21. Is that proven?

[Mosby]

28. Yes.

[33taw]

23. He shouldn't have to pay any costs and his bond should be returned.

There is something else going on here.

[jberryhill]

42. Are you joking?

He made a deal. That's obvious.

Have you ever been involved in the criminal justice system in any capacity? Known someone who was arrested for something?

It is *extremely* common for first-time offenders with no viable defense (and he doesn't have one here) to agree to various sorts of arrangements such as deferred prosecution or deferred judgment.

Basically you (a) pay a shitload of money, (b) agree to counseling/community service/some other nonsense, (c) sign away many of your rights to defend against the charge, (d) make a number of evidentiary admissions, (e) forfeit anything that was seized, and (f) agree to stay out of legal trouble for a certain length of time. You do all that, and it all goes away. You screw up, and they can nail you to the wall since you signed away a lot of your rights.

It is *NORMAL* for first offenders with clean records.

[33taw]

50. In answer to your first question - Yes.

This is being put out there like they simply dismissed his changes. That is not what happened. The charges were dismissed, but not based on plea.

[jberryhill]

34. Because it is a normal deferred prosecution deal

You pay costs.

The notion that this was a "false accusation" is absurd.

If he wants to prove that, then he can sue for false arrest or malicious prosecution.

This is an agreement to defer prosecution for a term of probation, sometimes psychological counseling, etc., which if completed will lead to no prosecution. If he screws up, then he has already signed documents to the effect that he is guilty.

That's how it works. All day, every day, in courts everywhere.

[pnwmom]

41. Under a "normal deferred prosecution deal" do they immediately drop all charges?

I thought that was something that happened after some delay. And no one on either side is talking about a probation. The police seem to be furious that he was let off.

https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/03/26/jussie-smollett-charges-dropped/

Smollett’s attorney, Patricia Brown Holmes, said there was no agreement with prosecutors, insisting the state’s attorney’s office dropped the charges on their own.

“We believe that it was the correct result in this case. We’re very happy for this result, and we are very anxious for Jussie to get on with his career and his life, and to move forward,” Holmes said. “There is no deal. The state dismissed the charges.”

Holmes said Smollett volunteered to forfeit his $10,000 bail in the case.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office issued a statement after the hearing:

“After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollett’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case,” the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office stated in an email.

[jberryhill]

43. Every state has its own procedural wrinkles

I'm not the free 50 state legal research department.

Yes, in some states the charges are conditionally dismissed. Have I looked at all the options available in Illinois? No. Am I going to? No. Is it obvious that this is some sort of deferred prosecution or judgment deal? Yes.

Why is it obvious? Because nobody just forfeits bond and agrees to community service because they felt generous with their time and money.

Come on.

[Mosby]

44. The charges were scratched.

There is no diversion deal.

He won.

[jberryhill]

45. Riiiiiiight

You believe what you want, anonymous internet guy.

[Mosby]

48. I'm just restating the media reports.

Eg:

In a highly unusual decision, prosecutors on Tuesday dropped charges against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett that accused him of staging a hate-crime attack against himself.

....

Chicago police officials said Supt. Eddie Johnson was not briefed on the decision to drop charges and learned about it in the middle of a police academy graduation ceremony scheduled at the same time Foxx’s office announced it.

A police source said Johnson was “furious” and maintained the evidence against Smollett was “rock solid.”

.....

Smollett lawyer Patricia Brown Holmes said there was no deal with prosecutors.

“There is no deferred prosecution . . . The state dismissed the charges,” Holmes said.

....

He must have some great lawyers, worth every penny.



https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/empire-jussie-smollett-emergency-court-hearing/

[customerserviceguy]

54. It's Chicago

it's just a thinly disguised payoff.

[MosheFeingold]

66. Yep

Rahm Emmanuel is going nuclear.

This is not a win for the progressive cause.

[cwydro]

67. Exactly.

He’s be suing if he were innocent, and he’d sure as hell not part with 10 grand if he were innocent.

Jussie’s family has friends in high places.

[jberryhill]

86. oh come on

They made a deal. So what? That happens in the vast majority of criminal prosecutions.

People have to sit down and ask themselves what is the purpose of the criminal justice system.

If the answer you come up with is "punish people for doing bad things" then you haven't thought about it hard enough, or at least not past the age of three.

Jussie Smollet is no danger to public safety. He wasted a lot of time and money. He's given back time and money. There is no purpose served by taking it any further.

[cwydro]

135. Oh, I agree with that 100%.

I’m just not one who thinks he’s innocent.

[jberryhill]

136. heh

I guess it depends on one's definition of "innocent".

He was trying to pull off a shady publicity stunt and, at least on what I understand, he had no intention of involving the police.

There's nothing illegal, incidentally, about arranging to have two people beat you up, per se. Nor is there anything illegal about saying "Hey, two people beat me up" (provided it is not part of some larger scheme to, say, defraud someone of money).

Things went sideways when someone ELSE called the police and then, boom, there he was - talking to the police. I don't think that was any part of his plan, and I don't think he had any plan to make a false police report from the outset. But, okay, he made a bad decision once that moment presented itself.

Should he have? No. In the vast scheme of things does it matter? Not really. People do dumb shit all of the time. He did a dumb thing. Fine. He paid his money (including to the lawyers), time, aggravation, public humiliation, etc..

Would he now prefer that things had gone differently, and that he'd made different decisions? Yep.

Well, okay then.

Is anyone injured, deprived of their property, etc.? Nope. Some investigative time was spent. He's forfeited his bond and done community service.

Well, okay then.

People on DU are like the Thunderdome mob with this stuff. They want to see people punished for its own sake. IMHO that comes from a place having nothing to do with any concerns for the safety of persons and/or property in the community, but because they have some personal sense of hurt about something, and simply want to see other people hurt.

[dsc]

12. Good question

this is some sort of deal but a very positive one from Jessie's perspective. No jail, no conviction, no record, and his attorneys were permitted to say he was totally innocent. Either the weakest case ever or he didn't do anything.

[Progressive Jones]

85. Plea deal. Simple as that. He's now seen as having been punished. nt

[Me.]

3. You JUst Never Know

Be careful W. Barr, reverses seem to be the order of the day, it could happen to you too, cause things aren't always what they seem to be.

[JanetLovesObama]

5. Good !

I love him and love his music. !!!!

[certainot]

7. this almost sounds like a set up by one of those rw media management assholes like

those asswipes who did hit jobs on liberal orgs

more orange bullshit ammunition so fox and talk radio have something else to spew

it's perfect for them - a gay black star up a 'fake' hate crime to smear trump and good ole racists and bigots

[50 Shades Of Blue]

8. Good.

[AKing]

13. Possible that the 2 brothers who he allegedly paid refused to testify.

[Swagman]

14. perhaps people should consider police and

prosecutor have been absolutely vicious in their conduct of this case with smears and leaks.

Sounds a lot like arse-covering from the cops to me

[George II]

15. That's what is being discussed now, apparently the judge (not confirmed yet) felt....

....the prosecutor was "overzealous".

[Bengus81]

16. All charges against Robert Kraft will be dropped in 5..4..3..2..

Watch for it...........

[DesertRat]

18. Why?

[jmowreader]

24. No.

They offered to drop the case in exchange for an Alford Plea, but Kraft refused.

[AKing]

17. Chicago Police Superintendent "Furious" about this decision...per CBS2 News Chicago

We expect to hear from both him and the Mayor later

[Devil Child]

22. Different laws for celebs it seems

If Smollett didn't possess some privilege in the form of money and fame I doubt he would have this outcome.

[jberryhill]

35. No, its the same deal that first offenders get all over the place

How much time have you spent in an ordinary day in the courts of your city/county/state?

[Sapient Donkey]

61. Is that's what's going on here?

I guess the way Jussie is phrasing things is making it look more shady. By making it sound as if he maintained his innocence and they dropped all charges because they didn't have evidence. Maybe I am misreading things.

[jberryhill]

63. If you've never been convicted of anything, then you are presumed innocent

That's the entire point about these kinds of deal. Yes, you remain "innocent".

[oldsoftie]

70. So the Chief of Police & the Mayor are BOTH lying?

Because they are decrying this deal & Smollett is denying there is ANY deal. So that would include 1st offender

[jberryhill]

72. Uh, no, Smollet is lying if he is denying a deal

I dunno, talk to these guys....

[oldsoftie]

74. Damn near spit out my milkshake as i scrolled down. Really, just missed it. Thats hilarious.

wish i knew how to make shit like that

[jberryhill]

144. They wouldn't know.

The mayor and police department don’t prosecute crimes.

[oldsoftie]

145. I dont prosecute crime either. But i know Smollett & his lawyers have lied. The mayor & chief havent

Smollett is saying he's been proven innocent & there was no deal, so HE is the one lying. Because the ones who gave him the deal said there was a deal, and he has NOT been exonerated.

But the FBI isnt done with him.

[jberryhill]

146. It's bleedingly obvious there was a deal

The mayor and PD wouldn’t know the details of it.

I still don’t get what everyone is so excited about.

He forfeited the bond, did community service, and probably has to stay out of trouble for a while. What sort of result would anyone expect out of all of this?

[christx30]

143. But he wasn't a first offender.

He had previously been convicted for giving his brother’s name when he (Jussie) was pulled over for a DUI.
Seems like this guy really likes to lie to police.

[BamaRefugee]

26. Was William Barr his attorney? Charges being dropped all over theis great land under the new AG!

[AKing]

27. The case is "sealed"...Prosecutors not commenting...Smollet forfeits his bond even though charges...

were dropped. Let me sum it up for you.......The Chicago Way Now excuse me while I go throw up.

[jberryhill]

38. It's the normal way deferred prosecutions are done all over this country

[Scoopster]

58. The prosecution wasn't deferred tho.

It was outright dropped. The court records sealed. The arrest records expunged. That last part is the big one, because it usually takes MONTHS to have arrest records expunged. I know - I've had it done.

[madville]

29. Since he says he is still a victim I hope the FBI

Opens a hate crime investigation to find his attackers. As we have all seen, it's a felony to make false statements to the FBI so interview him and the brothers and see if the story changes.

[yagotme]

30. I heard on the radio...

that he is still being looked at for the hate letter deal. That's Fed jurisdiction.

[maryellen99]

40. On twitter they are trying to blame Obama for putting pressure on the DA office to drop charges nt

[GoCubsGo]

52. George Soros, too.

They're claiming he donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to some PAC that supported the prosecutor. A lot of the cretins spreading this shit are the usual suspects, like James Woods and that Posobiec clown.

[oldsoftie]

97. Is it true?

[GoCubsGo]

99. I have no idea.

But, considering who is spreading it, I'm guessing that it is not true.

[oldsoftie]

102. I checked. There is truth to it, but its OLD truth. He donated to a PAC backing her in '16, not NOW

I'm sure the RW stories will make it appear a though he gave her the money yesterday.

[Sapient Donkey]

62. When those people stub their big toe they blame Obama or Clinton for it.

[ansible]

140. He does have connections with Obama

Knowing the right people always goes a long way when it comes to courts

Link to tweet

[NurseJackie]

46. I hope he gets the help or counseling that I believe he needs.

[Phentex]

83. same here...

I just found the whole thing sad. Maddening at first for all of the people he hurt but really sad overall. He needs help of some kind.

[csziggy]

47. Press conference on now with Chicago PD Chief and Mayor Emmanuel

They are NOT happy about the situation.

[inwiththenew]

51. Yep. He called it "a whitewash of justice."

[csziggy]

53. I've got the TV on in the background

But this week I will not be able to concentrate on much. My spine surgery is Friday...

[yagotme]

89. Good luck with your surgery.

Having a bum back is really a killer.

[LenaBaby61]

88. My goodness ...

Rahm Emmanuel making a comment about anything police-oriented is a JOKE.

[Jarqui]

55. Rahm Emanuel rips the decision as 'whitewash' with Chicago PD Superintendent

Link to tweet

[rocktivity]

56. This is a plea deal in disguise

Last edited Wed Nov 29, 2023, 12:54 PM - Edit history (36)

Innocent, exonerated, and otherwise pointless-to-prosecute people get their bail/bond money returned, if only because there ISN'T going to be trial: now Jussie will have to spend the rest of his career appearing to be guilty of something.

Brandy "Moesha" Norwood was never either charged or arrested for the fatal multi-car accident in which she was involved, and all the insurance companies involved found her to be totally not at fault. But she paid civil settlements to some of who were actually her "fellow" victims anyway, making it easy to believe that she had simply "celebrity-ed" her way out of a murder charge. She subsequently lost her record deal, and though she was consistently among the top TWO scorers as a contestant on Dancing With The Stars, she was "voted off" the show.

Similarly, the police decided that sexual assault accusations against rapper Sean Kingston were so lacking in credibility, they never filed a report. Kingston paid the accuser to not file a civil suit -- and that was enough to get him barred from entering Canada to perform at a show.


rocktivity

[Hoyt]

59. As poster above says, it's a "plea deal in disguise." I'm OK with that in this case, just wish the

average person got the same consideration.

[Sapient Donkey]

60. Interesting. Gotta wonder how he managed to pull this one off.

Of course it was his fame and money that did it, but I didn't think he would walk completely. I'm fine with this all just going away, but based on his words I don't think hes going to let it fade.

[AKing]

65. Chicago prosecutor who dropped Jussie Smollett charges: 'We didn't exonerate him'

The prosecutor who made the surprise decision to drop charges against Empire star Jussie Smollett for allegedly making false assault claims said the dropped and expunged charges are not an indication of the actor’s innocence.

“We didn’t exonerate him,” Joe Magats, the top assistant to Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx, said in a statement tweeted out by New York Times correspondent Julie Bosman.


The prosecutor said he “saw no problems with the police investigation or the evidence against Smollett,” Bosman tweeted, adding that the actor’s charges were dropped “in return for his agreement to do community service” and for the forfeiture of “his bond to the city of Chicago.”

“We work to prioritize violent crime and the drivers of violent crime,” Magats said. “Public safety is our number one priority. I don’t see Jussie Smollett as a threat to public safety.”

“We stand behind the investigation, we stand behind the decision to charge him and we stand behind the charges in the case,” the prosecutor said. “The mere fact that it was disposed of in an alternative manner does not mean that there were any problems or infirmities in the case or the evidence.”

[link:https://www.rawstory.com/2019/03/chicago-prosecutor-dropped-jussie-smollett-charges-didnt-exonerate/|

[oldsoftie]

71. Looks like Smollett's attys are just like trumps; announcing things that arent true.

But what will make the most coverage? Smollett saying "I told you i was innocent"

[BeyondGeography]

127. It's a big week for letting people off without exonerating them

America can be such a kind and forgiving place.

[Rustyeye77]

75. Run Jussie Run

[DeminPennswoods]

76. Yes

I agree with Jeremy Bash's assessment:

Trump asked Russia for help
Trump received help from Russia
Trump benefitted from Russian help
Trump has reciprocated with actions that help Russia

[dustyscamp]

78. He should sue people like that Covington brat is sueing people

PD, breitbart, tmz and politicians

[jberryhill]

80. WTF for?

[dustyscamp]

82. For defamation

I know people on the right have been spinning this story so it favors their narrative. Now that it seems that Jussie might be innocent he should go after them n give them a taste . Just search google for "jussie smollett victim mentality" and youll see all these people trying to spin it

[jberryhill]

84. Wtf?

They made a deal. They dropped the prosecution in exchange for forfeiture of the bond and community service. That would ordinarily preclude any civil litigation.

[dustyscamp]

87. Eh I was reading from another source so I might be wrong

From TMZ

A source close to Jussie says the prosecution's case "disintegrated." As we reported, there were issues with the $3,500 check the 2 brothers received from Jussie. The Police Superintendent had said the money was payment for the fake attack, but it appears it was actually for physical training.

The Police Superintendent also said during a news conference that Jussie wrote that threatening letter 6 days before the attack when in actuality the FBI had not concluded who wrote the letter.

Holmes reiterated this was not a deal Jussie struck with prosecutors -- instead, they dropped the charges on their own, and he forfeited his bond voluntarily ... it wasn't a tit-for-tat situation./i]

[Dr. Strange]

111. That won't even remotely work.

Here's what the prosecutor (Magats) says about Smollett:

.@adrianasdiaz: "Does dropping the charges vindicate [Jussie Smollett]?"
Prosecutor Joe Magats: "No."
Diaz: "Does it exonerate him?"
Magats: "No."
Diaz: "Do you believe that he is innocent?"
Magats: "I do not believe he's innocent."
Diaz: "So you believe he's guilty?"
Magats: "Yes."

Link to tweet

[hughee99]

92. Yes! And he shouldn't rest until the Trump supporters who attacked him

Are caught and brought to justice!

[oldsoftie]

98. Thats right, he should be on the case just like OJ.

[rocktivity]

81. It's DEFINITELY a plea deal in disguise

Last edited Wed Nov 1, 2023, 02:55 PM - Edit history (2)

TMZ: Jussie Smollett logged a total of 18 hours of community service over 2 days with Jesse Jackson's organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and that was enough to satisfy prosecutors in Chicago...

We're told Jussie's "service" included stuffing membership envelopes, working in the group's bookstore to sell merchandise ...and critiquing its Saturday broadcast. We're told he helped them with camera angles, and also worked with the music director on a plan to build the choir...

A Rainbow PUSH spokesperson says it was their decision, not Jussie's, to keep his work with them under wraps.

Community service AND forfeiture of his bond in exchange for having his charges dropped? That's plea copping, Jussie, NOT acquittal or exoneration. So I was as right as the Fox News Channel -- hooray for me...


rocktivity

[kcr]

116. So, he plead innocent? They dropped the charges. He wasn't ordered to do the community service.

The DA only mentioned it to make it look like a deal in order to slander him further and save face. They turned around and dropped the charges right after indicting him for a reason.

[rocktivity]

125. But by "agreeing" to "voluntarily" forfeit his $10K bond

Last edited Wed Mar 27, 2019, 12:21 PM - Edit history (2)

he's also forfeited any reasonable doubt as to his innocence.

And he's brought an entirely new dimension to the meaning of turning the other cheek!


rocktivity

[kcr]

142. His lawyer said they didn't agree to that

But rather than fight them forfeiting it and dragging things further, he celebrating the charges being dropped, which is likely what they counted on.

[rocktivity]

147. The prosecutor says he did agree

Besides, innocent people get their bond money back, especially when there isn't going to be a trial.

Let's see what happens with his federal mail charges -- maybe they assured the DA that they have tighter case against him.


rocktivity

[kcr]

148. Oh, yes. Let's see

Given the brothers' attorney dropped them when they refused to make a statement maintaining their story after Smollett's charges were dropped? I bet I can guess what happens.

[Puzzledtraveller]

106. This won't end well.

[Daninmo]

107. he got off because of privilage

On the radio today they asked if this was a reverse scene. Basically if he were a straight white man claiming two gay men attacked him and put a noose around his neck, poured bleach on him and yelled "this is Obama country". Would he get the same opportunity to just pay a fine and walk?

[Raine]

112. Privilege is why he got off

green privilege ... if he was poor he'd never see the light of day again.

[Paladin]

133. I'll try to give a shit about this.....

….after I see if trump walks away from the Mueller probe clean.

[rollin74]

138. celebrities and the wealthy usually get special treatment from the "justice" system. not surprising

16 felony counts = "nothing to see here, folks"


must be nice to be famous