EXPLAINER: What charges does Jussie Smollett face at trial?

By MICHAEL TARM
AP Legal Affairs Writer

CHICAGO (AP) — The legal saga surrounding Jussie Smollett’s claim in 2019 that he was the target of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago has culminated in a trial, which went to the jury for deliberations Wednesday. Initial charges brought in February 2019 that accused the former “Empire” actor of faking the assault were soon after tossed. But a new indictment was filed in February 2020 after a special prosecutor looked into the case. Smollett is charged under Illinois’ disorderly conduct statute, which encompasses a wide range of offenses. He faces six counts of disorderly conduct under a subsection of the law that prohibits false reports to police.