Jussie Smollett Trial Begins this Week

Jussie Smollett's famous hoax attack has resulted in a trial that begins this week, nearly three years after he alleged he was beaten in the street by two MAGA hat wearing, light-skinned men. It turns out, they were a pair of Nigerian brothers who claim the actor paid them to stage the beating.

Smollett, 39, was charged with six counts of felony disorderly conduct in February 2020, a year after the incident. Each count carries a maximum prison sentence of three years, but it's likely he would be sentenced to probation if found guilty.

Smollett was accused of orchestrating the attack by hiring brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo to punch him and put a noose around his neck, in what police said was an effort to raise his celebrity profile.

He was charged first with 16 counts of lying to police, but the charges were dropped by Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, who had connections to the actor's family.

He was re-charged in 2020 by a special prosecutor, and that is the case that is now going to trial.

Smollett, who is black and openly gay, has always maintained his innocence and says he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack. He doesn't deny that it was the brothers who were involved, but he says he did not lie to police in his version of events.