All of the charges against Jussie Smollett have officially been dropped!
Jussie and his lawyers were in court Tuesday morning in Chicago, where he was facing 16 felony counts of lying to police in the alleged racial and homophobic attack. The District Attorney in Cook County dropped all charges.
He will reportedly surrender his $10,000 bond and will perform community service, but will serve no jail time.
A source close to Jussie says the prosecution's case "disintegrated." His lawyers stated, "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."
His family has also released an official statement:
Our son and brother is an innocent man whose name and character has been unjustly smeared. Jussie is a son, brother, a partner, a champion for human rights, and a genuine soul who would never be capable of what he was falsely accused of. He was the victim of an assault and then falsely blamed for his own attack. This morning truth has prevailed and he has been vindicated. All charges have been dismissed and his record expunged (cleared). The painful incidents we've witnessed him endure over the past 7 weeks have been heartbreaking and unjust to say the least. While many were quick to rush to judgment before hearing the actual truth, we are grateful that the truth about Jussie has come to light. We look forward to bringing the real perpetrators to justice. We thank God and our village for standing by us during this trying time.
(via The Blast)