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Jussie Smollett mugshot

Source: Cook County Sheriff’s Office / Cook County Sheriff’s Office

The “Empire” actor and singer had pleaded “not guilty” before being indicted on 16 charges by a grand jury.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and police superintendent Eddie T. Johnson hammered the decision to drop all charges against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollet.

“At the end of the day it’s Mr. Smollett who committed this hoax. Period. If he wanted to clear his name the way to do that was in a  court of law so that everyone could see the evidence,” Johnson said. “I stand by the facts of what we produced. if they want to dispute those fatcs the place to do that is in court.”

Johnson added, “Do I think justice was served? No…I think this city is still owed an apology.”

All criminal charges against Smollett were dropped Tuesday and the “Empire” actor’s record will be expunged, nearly two months after he reported suffering an alleged hate crime attack in Chicago.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time, honestly one of the worst of my entire life,” Smollett said while making a brief statement to reporters after an emergency hearing in which a judge agreed to drop the charges and expunge the case.

But among the questions that weren’t immediately answered was whether prosecutors still believe Smollett concocted the attack and whether there’s new evidence that altered their view of events. Typically, a minimum condition of dropping cases is some acceptance of responsibility.

In a statement, the Cook County prosecutors’ office offered “After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollet’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.”

However, the Chicago Police Department said it was not notified of the prosecution’s decision to drop charges and found out about the news during a graduation ceremony for recruits.

“It’s a punch in the gut. Is absolutely a punch in the gut,” said Commander Ed Wodnicki. “We worked closely throughout our three-week investigation to get to point where we arrested the offender. For the state’s attorney at this point to dismiss charges without discussing this with us at all is just shocking.”

In announcing the charges would be dropped, Smollett’s attorneys Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes said, “Today, all criminal charges against Jussie Smollett were dropped and his record has been wiped clean of the filing of this tragic complaint against him.”

“Jussie was attacked by two people he was unable to identify on January 29th. He was a victim who was vilified and made to appear as a perpetrator as a result of false and inappropriate remarks made to the public causing an inappropriate rush to judgement.”

“Jussie and many others were hurt by these unfair and unwarranted actions. This entire situation is a reminder that there should never be an attempt to prove a case in the court of public opinion. That is wrong. It is a reminder that a victim, in this case Jussie, deserves dignity and respect. Dismissal of charges against the victim in this case was the only just result,” the statement continued.

“Jussie is relieved to have this situation behind him and is very much looking forward to getting back to focusing on his family, friends and career,” the attorneys’ statement ended.

Smollett added, “I want to thank my family, my friends, the incredible people of Chicago and all over the country and the world who have prayed for me, who have supported me, who have shown me so much love,” Smollett said in a brief statement to reporters.

“No one will ever know how much that has meant to me and I will forever be grateful,” he continued. “I want you to know that not for a moment was it in vain. I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one. I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I have been accused of.”

“But I am a man of faith and I am a man that has knowledge of my history and I would not bring my family, our lives or the movement through a fire like this. I just wouldn’t,” he said, thanking his legal counsel and the state of Illinois for “attempting to do what’s right.”

“Now I’d like nothing more than to just get back to work and move on with my life but make no mistakes I will always continue to fight for the justice, equality and betterment of marginalized people everywhere,” he added before departing the courthouse, taking no questions.

Following the announcement a representative for the Cook County state’s attorney’s office said in a statement that the decision to drop the charges was made “After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollet’s [sic] volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago.”

“[W]e believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case,” the statement added. State’s Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself from the case in February, with documents obtained earlier this month via Freedom of Information Act request showing that Foxx had asked Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson to turn the investigation over to the FBI.

20th Century Fox which produces “Empire” also released a statement saying “Jussie Smollett has always maintained his innocence and we are gratified on his behalf that all charges against him have been dismissed.”

READ MORE: NBCChicago.com

Article Courtesy of WMAQ-TV Chicago

First Picture Courtesy of The Rickey Smiley Morning Show

Second Picture Courtesy of Cook County Sheriff’s Office

Chicago Mayor and Police Superintendent Both Upset Over Jussie Smollett Charges Being Dropped  was originally published on wzakcleveland.com

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