Hate crime or hoax? A timeline of the Jussie Smollett case

The actor reported receiving hate mail on the set of 'Empire.' Written in red on the envelope was "MAGA" as the return address. Inside, white powder was found, but it was later determined to be crushed ibuprofen. The letter inside contained the threat “You will die black f*g" spelled out in cut-out letters.

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January 29 -

On this day, the openly gay black actor and musician told Chicago police that two masked men he believed to be white attacked him in the city's downtown area at around 2 am.

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January 29 - Smollett reported that the men beat him, poured a chemical substance on him, and put a noose around his neck. He also reported that they hurled racist and homophobic slurs at him.

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January 29 -

The actor said he went home after the alleged crime, and a "close associate" reported the incident to police 40 minutes after it took place. Smollett was apparently hesitant to call police due to his public status.

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January 29 - Smollett was reported to have checked into Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and was said to be in good condition.

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January 29 -

Even this early on, police said they were treating what happened “as a possible hate crime.” Additionally, during a follow-up visit from investigators, the actor said his assailants mentioned "MAGA country," indicating that they were likely Donald Trump supporters.

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January 29 - Celebrity support was immediate, and Fox, the network airing 'Empire,' issued a statement of support that said the “entire studio, network, and production stands united in the face of any despicable act of violence and hate.”

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January 29 -

Police detectives looked through surveillance camera footage, but ultimately said they couldn't find images of the attack.

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January 30 -

At this point, investigators announced that they had discovered a surveillance image showing “potential persons of interest wanted for questioning." The image shows two men from behind.

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January 30 -

The FBI got involved, investigating the hate mail previously sent to the actor.

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January 30 - The actor's manager told Variety that he was on a phone call with Smollett during the attack. He reportedly said that he heard one of the men yell "MAGA country."

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January 30 -

The LA Times reported that Smollett was "out of the hospital and home recovering," according to a spokesperson.

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January 31 - President Donald Trump was asked about the incident in the Oval Office, and responded that it was "horrible" and "doesn’t get worse."

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January 31 - The Smollett family, which includes actress Jurnee Smollett-Bell (pictured), issued the following statement: "Jussie was the victim of a violent and unprovoked attack. We want to be clear, this was a racial and homophobic hate crime. Jussie has told the police everything from the very beginning. His story has never changed, and we are hopeful they will find these men and bring them to justice."

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February 1 - The first public statement from Smollett came via his publicist. It read: "Let me start by saying that I’m O.K. My body is strong but my soul is stronger. More importantly, I want to say thank you. The outpouring of love and support from my village has meant more than I will ever be able to truly put into words."

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February 1 - "I am working with authorities and have been 100 percent factual and consistent on every level. Despite my frustrations and deep concern with certain inaccuracies and misrepresentations that have been spread, I still believe that justice will be served."

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February 1 - Eddie T. Johnson, Chicago police superintendent, told NBC Chicago that the department would not be demanding Smollett's phone records. Johnson also said that Smollett was being fully cooperative, and that they were treating him as a victim.

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February 2 - Smollett appeared in public for the first time since reporting the attack. He performed at the Troubadour nightclub in West Hollywood, California (pictured).

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February 2 -

He told the crowd that he wasn't hospitalized, but instead had just visited a doctor. He also clarified that his ribs weren't broken, and that he fought back against his alleged attackers.

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February 4 -

Chicago police made a statement that people of interest had not been identified as of yet, but that they were continuing to follow up on leads.

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February 4 -

Police released the initial incident report about the alleged attack. It detailed that Smollett was still wearing the noose around his neck when police showed up at his home.

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February 4 -

"The primary aggressor was wearing a black mask concealing any facial features and both offenders were dressed in black," reads the report. "The victim does not remember any other distinguishing features of the offenders, or in which direction they fled."

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February 5 -

Phone records from Smollett's manager were turned over to the police.

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February 6 - The actor returned to work on 'Empire.'

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February 11 -

Smollett had also given over his phone records. Reacting to these, Chicago police said the provided records were redacted and did "not meet the burden for a criminal investigation."

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February 11 - Wrote Esquire: "The first substantial doubt cast on Smollett's claims came on February 11 from neighbors who lived in the community who cited the general climate of the neighborhood and its occupants as reason to be skeptical."

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February 11 -

Chicago police released a statement outlining that despite such media reports, they had no reason to believe Smollett was behind the attack.

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February 12 -

The Associated Press reported that the actor said he redacted some information on his phone to protect the privacy of individuals not connected to the incident.

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February 13 -

Authorities detained Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, two brothers of Nigerian descent, after they landed in Chicago following a flight from Nigeria.

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February 13 -

Officers raided the men's home and removed an 'Empire' script and two hats, CBS Chicago reported.

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February 14 - The actor's first interview about the incident, in which he spoke with Robin Roberts on 'Good Morning America,' aired. He insisted he was telling the truth.

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February 14 - During the interview, Smollett confirmed that the men in the surveillance images were his attackers. "For me, when that was released, I was like, 'Okay, we’re getting somewhere.' I don’t have any doubt in my mind that that’s them. Never did."

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February 14 - Police revealed that at least one of the two men detained had appeared as an extra on 'Empire.' But the department also says they "are not yet suspects."

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February 14 - Police disputed reports that they were beginning to look at the alleged crime as a hoax.

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February 14 - Wrote GQ: "Local news outlets report that unnamed sources claim Smollett staged the attack himself, supposedly to raise his profile ahead of being written off of 'Empire.'" Police denied having any confirmation of these claims, and 'Empire' writers said Smollett's character was never in danger of being written off the series.

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February 14 - Wrote Complex: "That evening, more details surfaced about the Osundairo brothers. Chicago police raided their home, seizing five bottles of bleach, electronics, shoes, and other items. Police also stated that the brothers had left for Nigeria on the day of the attack." A local CBS affiliate also reported that a "red hat" was found among the items.

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February 15 - A source told USA Today that the police found records showing that the brothers "purchased rope from a hardware store that was used in the alleged attack."

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February 15 -

Police identified the brothers as potential suspects. But by night they were released without being charged. That same day, investigators announced that the brothers were no longer considered suspects, but would not say why.

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February 15 -

A CBS report, which cited sources within the Chicago police department, claimed that the actor paid the men US$3,500 to pull off the attack.

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February 16 - Police said in a statement: "We can confirm that the information received from the individuals questioned by police earlier in the 'Empire' case has in fact shifted the trajectory of the investigation. We’ve reached out to the 'Empire' cast member’s attorney to request a follow-up interview."

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February 16 - A statement from Smollett's lawyer read: "As a victim of a hate crime who has cooperated with the police investigation, Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with."

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February 16 - Continued the statement: "One of these purported suspects was Jussie’s personal trainer who he hired to ready him physically for a music video. It is impossible to believe that this person could have played a role in the crime against Jussie or would falsely claim Jussie’s complicity."

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February 16 - In any case, Smollett's lawyer said that the actor would "continue to cooperate" and that they "have no inclination to respond to 'unnamed' sources inside of the investigation."

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February 18 -

Sources told ABC News that the two brothers informed police they helped Smollett come up with the details for the attack after the hate mail did not receive the attention the actor desired.

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February 19 -

While the agencies would not confirm it officially, the FBI and the U.S. Postal Service are reported to have expanded their investigation into the hate mail received by the actor to include him as a suspect.

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February 19 -

Police said they were following up on a tip that Smollett was seen in an elevator in his apartment with the brothers on the night of the alleged attack. But investigators ultimately could not find this version of events credible based on video evidence.

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February 19 - Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself from the case "out of an abundance of caution" because of her "familiarity with potential witnesses in the case," this according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

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February 19 - The actor's attorneys said Smollett had no plans to meet with police for a follow-up interview, but that they would "keep an active dialogue with Chicago police on his behalf."

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February 20 -

Kim Foxx revealed she recused herself because she had spoken, on multiple occasions, with a member of Smollett’s family, this after the alleged attack was first reported, according to the Associated Press.

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February 20 - TMZ released footage of the brothers buying ski masks, gloves, a bandana, and a red hat.

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February 20 - The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office filed felony criminal charges against Smollett for disorderly conduct and filing a false police report. If convicted, he could go to jail for one to three years.

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February 20 - Police said that the brothers would testify before a grand jury, where detectives would present evidence. But a call from Smollett’s attorneys delayed grand jury testimony. The actor was now considered a suspect.

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February 20 - Smollett's lawyers responded in a statement: "Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked. Given these circumstances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defense."

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February 20 -

Earlier in the day, Fox released a statement of support after reports surfaced that Smollett's role was being reduced on 'Empire.' But after the criminal charges became known, the network declined to comment.

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February 21 -

The Chicago Police Department arrested Smollett after he turned himself in, and they said he was "in custody of detectives."

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February 21 - Said Eddie T. Johnson: "First, Smollett attempted to gain attention by sending a false letter that relied on racial, homophobic, and political language. When that didn't work, Smollett paid $3,500 to stage this attack and drag Chicago's reputation through the mud in the process. And why? This stunt was orchestrated by Smollett because he was dissatisfied with his salary, so he concocted a story about being attacked." Smollett was also accused of attempting to raise his profile.

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February 21 -

And, according to a police briefing, the scratches on Smollett's neck from the night of the alleged attack were self-inflicted.

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February 21 - The actor was released on bail after paying 10% of his $100,000 bond, as well as surrendering his passport. He was ordered to have no contact with the brothers.

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February 21 - After appearing in court, Smollett went over to the 'Empire' set, where he was scheduled to shoot a scene. TMZ reports that he apologized to the cast and crew—not for the alleged hoax, but for the commotion around him.

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February 21 -

A statement released on behalf of Smollett stated: "Today we witnessed an organized law enforcement spectacle that has no place in the American legal system. The presumption of innocence, a bedrock in the search for justice, was trampled upon at the expense of Mr. Smollett and notably, on the eve of a Mayoral election. Mr. Smollett is a young man of impeccable character and integrity who fiercely and solemnly maintains his innocence and feels betrayed by a system that apparently wants to skip due process and proceed directly to sentencing."

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February 21 - Said Fox in a statement: "We understand the seriousness of this matter and we respect the legal process. We are evaluating the situation and we are considering our options."

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February 21 - CBS Chicago revealed a timeline of the prosecution's presentation at Smollett's bond hearing. Outside of what has already been revealed, here are some highlights.

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February 21 - January 25: "Smollett texts Abel Osundairo, 'Might need your help on the low.' The two meet and Smollett pays Abel $100 and says he wants to stage an attack."

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February 21 -

January 27: "Smollett shows Abel Osundairo and his brother Ola where the attack should happen. He instructs them not to bring their phones and shows them a surveillance camera on the corner. He gives them a $3,500 check, which one of the brothers later deposits into his bank account."

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February 21 -

January 29: "The time for the attack is set for 10 pm but is later moved to 2 am after Smollett’s flight from New York to Chicago is delayed four hours. The brothers take an Uber to the 1400 block of North Wells Street, get out and hail a taxi to the location of the attack on North Water Street. Smollett is late so they wait on a bench. The staged attack lasts 45 seconds."

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February 21 -

TMZ also broke down the prosecution's documents, revealing that: "Later on the 25th, they did meet face to face outside Abel's Chicago apartment and talked in Jussie's car about staging the attack. Cops say this is when Ola was brought onboard. The original plan, according to cops, was for Ola to place a rope around Jussie's neck, pour gasoline on him and yell, 'This is MAGA country,'" adding, "They made a late change from gasoline to bleach."

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February 21 - "Police say Jussie spoke to Abel on Jan. 30. They say Jussie called him for 8 minutes and 48 seconds, while Abel was in Turkey."

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February 21 - TMZ reported that Smollett has a drug problem, and that he would get ecstasy off Abel Osundairo. The website indicates that this could be relevant later in the actor's criminal case.

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February 22 - According to TMZ, federal law enforcement sources told them it's not a done deal that Smollett sent himself the hate mail, as Chicago police superintendent Eddie T. Johnson had stated.

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February 22 - Fox decided Smollett will not be part of the final two episodes being shot for the current season of 'Empire.' The show has until June to decide if it will renew with Smollett (and the other actors, as a new season has not been announced as of yet).

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February 23 - TMZ reported that the $3,500 that Smollett paid the brothers was actually for their training services, according to sources. The brothers also reportedly said they had nothing to do with the hate mail addressed to Smollett.

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February 24 - The story behind the check, which has "5 week Nutrition/Workout program Don't Go" written on the memo line ('Don't Go' being the name of a song Smollett was supposed to shoot a music video for), grew stronger. TMZ reported that texts sent from January 20-28 between Smollett and one of the brothers back up this claim.

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March 7 - A Cook County grand jury returned a 16-count indictment against Smollett on this day.

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March 14 - The actor pled not guilty to the 16-count indictment against him.

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March 25 - Smollett's lawyer, Mark Geragos, was reported to be a co-conspirator with fellow star attorney Michael Avenatti, who is accused of attempting to extort Nike.

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March 26 - In a move that shocked many, prosecutors dropped all charges against Jussie Smollett. His record has also now been expunged.

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Hate crime or hoax? A timeline of the Jussie Smollett case

All charges were just dropped against the 'Empire' actor

05/04/19 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Controversies

Over the past two months, 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett has gone from victim to villain to potentially victim again. Initially reporting to police that he was the target of a racist and homophobic assault, the story then turned to the possibility of Smollett having concocted the whole thing. He was indicted on 16 counts, but on March 26 all charges against him were dropped.

So, just how did this very confusing case go down? This gallery provides all you need to know in a detailed timeline.