Case against Jussie Smollett focuses on how ‘hoax’ unraveled

By DON BABWIN and SARA BURNETT
Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Prosecutors are focusing on how Chicago police determined Jussie Smollett’s report of a horrific hate crime was actually a fake assault staged by the actor. A Chicago police detective is testifying at Smollett’s trial Wednesday about how she took a report from the ex-“Empire” actor shortly after the alleged January 2019 attack. She says his injuries were “minor,” including scratches on his face. Smollett’s defense attorney says he was a “real victim” of a homophobic and racist attack. But police and prosecutors say Smollett got help from two brothers he worked with on the “Empire” set in Chicago.