Jussie Smollett appears in court for a hearing; Cameras authorized for Thursday's hearing



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CHICAGO – Actor Jussie Smollett has appeared in Chicago court on Tuesday morning, a few days after being indicted on 16 charges related to this alleged hoax.

RAW VIDEO: Jussie Smollett arrives at Chicago Courthouse

The judge decided to allow the cameras in the hearing room during Thursday's hearing. Once the case is assigned to a judge, he or she will decide whether cameras can be present in court for future proceedings.

The Smollett lawyer said he was hosting the cameras.

RAW VIDEO: Jussie Smollett leaves court without comment

"There has been a lot of false information in this case that has been presented as facts and evidence against Mr. Smollett, which is patently false.We invite surveillance cameras in the courtroom so that the and the media can see the evidence We see the lack of evidence against Smollett and we look forward to transparency and truth, "Smollett's lawyer Tina Glandian said. of the hearing held at the Leighton Court House.

The "Empire" actor will be back in court Thursday while he should officially plead under 16 heads of disorderly behavior for allegedly filing a false police report.

RELATED: Chronology of key moments of alleged attack on Jussie Smollett

The TV actor claimed to have been a victim of a hate crime in the Streeterville neighborhood in January, but the police said it was a hoax and a that Smollett had hired two brothers to carry out the false attack.

RELATED: Brothers "exploited" by Smollett, prosecutor says

Attorney Gloria Schmidt told Good Morning America in an interview Monday morning that Smollett was "in a position of trust" with the Osundairo brothers.

"They worked with Jussie, they knew him, they were friends with him," said Schmidt. "He was a person who, according to the brothers, could help them in their careers, obviously Mr. Smollett had a relationship, he was a good position in the Fox, so he was someone they trusted to take into account their best interests. "

RELATED: Brothers told police that Smollett was upset by a threatening letter of not receiving enough attention, an organized attack

Schmidt said the brothers had evidence to support their claims.

"That's why, when they have gone from people of interest to suspects, they are free men and they are at home," she said.

On February 20, the Cook County State Attorney's Office had indicted Smollett of an indictment charge for driving in disorder for filing a false police report.
On January 29, the TV actor said he was a victim of a hate crime in the Streeterville neighborhood. Two men physically assaulted him by shouting racist and homophobic insults, threw him a chemical liquid and put a rope around his neck.

RELATED: Jussie Smollett accused of disorderly conduct for filing false police report, prosecutors say

Last week, a Cook County grand jury issued an indictment of 16 counts against Smollett.

CLICK HERE to read the complete indictment

The Grand Jury dismissed two separate counts, one of each lie allegedly told to Smollett. The first series is related to what Smollett told the police about the so-called attack, including that the attackers called him racist and homophobic insults, slapped him in the hand, slung the rope around his neck and poured a chemical substance.

The second charges relate to Smollett's second interview with the police about the alleged attack later in the day, claiming that the men had attacked him from behind and had fallen to the ground. after which they continued to kick him. Smollett also told the police on this occasion that one of his attackers was white.

RELATED: Brothers told police that Smollett was upset by a threatening letter of not receiving enough attention, an organized attack

The two counts correspond to two groups of police officers allegedly mentored by Smollett.

A charge of disorderly conduct in flagrante delicto for filing a false police report may result in a three-year probation sentence. Smollett has already pleaded not guilty to the first charge of misconduct. He was arrested and deposited a deposit of $ 100,000 to be released.

Two days after the alleged attack, the Chicago Police released surveillance footage of two people that they considered to be of interest to the attack.

But the investigation turned to Smollett. He is now accused of having allegedly orchestrated the attack with the Osundairo brothers, whom he knew. One brother was an extra on "Empire" and the other was Smollett 's personal trainer.

Prosecutors said Smollett paid the Osundairo brothers to carry out the attack.

Smollett had also reported sending a threatening letter on the whole "Empire" containing a white powder, a week before the alleged attack. The letter is currently in the FBI's crime lab for analysis, sources said, and experts believe Smollett could face federal charges for supposedly sending the letter.

RELATED: Jussie Smollett alleged that a hoax could cast doubt on real hate-motivated crimes, fear lawyers

Chicago Police Commissioner Eddie Johnson said the actor had first falsified a letter using racist and homophobic language. "This did not attract attention," said Johnson. "Smollett paid his brothers $ 3,500 by personal check to organize the attack because he was" dissatisfied with his salary. "

RELATED: Jussie Smollett's character must be removed from "Empire", say producers

Smollett 's lawyer, Mark Geragos, issued a statement about the indictment on Friday night:

"The fact that the indictment is not surprising.We knew that it was impossible for them to present their evidence at a public hearing and to cross-examine their witnesses."

What is unexpected is that the prosecution has used too much to charge Jussie with 16 separate charges. This redundant and vindictive indictment is nothing more than a desperate attempt to make headlines in order to deflect the internal investigation launched to investigate the scandalous disclosure of false information by the Chicago Police Department and the shameful and illegal invasion of Jussie's private life to falsify his private life. medical records.

Jussie categorically maintains his innocence even though the law enforcement forces have deprived him of this presumption. "

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