Jussie Smollett can’t get Chicago off his back. Officers who covered up police shooting unarmed Black teenagers have had less heat on them.
Although all charges have dropped against the “Empire” actor and the file was sealed, a judge has decided to unseal the file.
See Also: Complete Timeline Of Jussie Smollett Investigation
The Chicago Tribune reports that the news media have been hungry to get a hold of the case file, which his lawyers have fought. However, Circuit Judge Steven Watkins claims because Smollett and his attorneys spoke to the media, the records should be public.
He read the 10-page ruling that he read aloud correct, “These are not the actions of a person seeking to maintain his privacy or simply be let alone. While the court appreciates that (Smollett) was in the public eye before the events that precipitated this case, it was not necessary for him to address this so publicly and to such an extent. By doing so, the court cannot credit his privacy interest as good cause to keep the case records sealed.”
What’s interesting is that after the charges were dropped, Smollett has not done any interviews or posted on social media. The Chicago Police Department and former Mayor Rahm Emanuel have spoken to countless media outlets.
Nonetheless, nothing was revealed in the court docs. The Chicago Tribune says, “In the end, however, little new was revealed… the majority of the 192-page file consisted of the media’s motions objecting to the sealing of the file in the first place.” However, it may not be over. There is still a request for the records of Kim Foxx, the Cook County State Attorney.
On Jan. 29, while walking to a subway, Smollett claimed two men yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him, investigators told The Hollywood Reporter. They allegedly punched and poured bleach on him while one of the suspects put a rope around his neck. As they fled the scene, Smollett told police they said, “This is MAGA country.”
The city of Chicago is suing Smollett for a half a million dollars. Foxx has also been attacked by the Chicago Police and is calling for a probe into the 16 felony counts being dropped. She has also said she is receiving death threats.
Smollett has maintained his innocence.
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