Jussie-Smollett juror, who was present at the trial of Jussie Smollett, said that she and 11 other members were convinced instantly of his guilt and that his poor testimony had sealed his fate.
Six men and six women sat on a jury for nine hours. The anonymous female juror stated that the jury was not equally divided, although there were doubters.
However, the jury stated they had no major disagreements. They wanted to make sure they had carefully reviewed all the evidence during their one-week-long trial.
She said that the jury had ‘all thought it was,’ at the end. [they]Jussie was doing a favour when the actors chose to go on trial for five rather than six counts of disorderly behavior.
Jussie, 39, is seen leaving Leighton Criminal Courthouse along with his siblings after he was convicted on five counts of felony disorderly behavior for making a false report regarding the alleged assault – one for every time he made a report to three officers
A female juror declined to identify herself, but she stated that Dan Webb, the Special Prosecutor for Smollett, was methodical and meticulous in his arguments. This made it seem like he had lost all control of the case.
Nenye Oche, Smollett’s lawyer, seemed to be “just shooting from the hip” and left her dissatisfied by unsubstantiated claims like that Nigerian brothers Olabinjo Osundairo and Abimbola demanded $1million each from Empire actor, to alter their stories.
According to the female juror who refused to give her name, Dan Webb, the Special Prosecutor of Jussie Mmollett, was “methodical” and “plodding” in his arguments.
Nenye Oche, Smollett’s lawyer (pictured), seemed to be “just shooting from the hip,” the juror stated. She was not satisfied with unsubstantiated claims like that Nigerian brothers Olabinjo Osundairo and Abimbola demanded $1million each from Empire actor in order to alter their story.
She said that the testimonies of her brothers were convincinger than Smollett’s, even though neither was completely honest in jury’s opinion.
Smollett could have had the evidence of Frank Gatson’s testimony to support his argument. Gatson was on the defense team’s list of possible witnesses, but did not take the stand.
Gatson reported the incident against Smollett’s wishes, the openly-gay actor claimed during his day of testimony on Monday, saying that he didn’t do so because he is a ‘Black man in America’ and therefore ‘doesn’t trust police,’ and that he didn’t want to be portrayed as the ‘f***** who just got his ass beat.’
The Chicago Sun-Tribune was told by a juror that Frank had been a favorite of all.
Smollett was defended by character witnesses, three hours of direct examination and three and half hours of testimony.
But, although Smollett detailed his involvement with the brothers, including a sexual encounters at a gay bath house with Abimbola Osundairo, a visit to a strip club with Olabinjo Osundairo, Abel’s paid role as his nutritionist and that brothers’ offers to become his security guard, he could why two brothers were in his neighborhood that night, if not to commit a staged attack as he’d instructed them to do.
Jurors said that Brothers Olabinjo and Olabola Osundairo were more persuasive in their testimony.
Smollett described his interactions with the brothers. He mentioned a couple of sexual encounters with Abimbola Osundairo at a gay bathroom (pictured left), and a trip to a stripclub with Olabinjo Osundairo. Abel was paid to be his nutritionist, while Olabinjo Osundairo offered to take over his security. But he understood why his brothers were there that night.
Smollett raised both his hands as he entered into the courthouse. Smollett claims that this attack was real and homophobic, not just a hoax.
The attorney did not provide any explanation for the brothers’ lies. It could be that Abel tried to hide his homosexuality and Ola was homophobic, or that they wanted to hire him security guards to scare him into believing he had to have them.
The juror stated that the testimony of the brothers was convincing. They maintained their story unaffected. Smollett paid them for the attack and told them to get red hats in order to look like Donald Trump supporters. He even led them through the entire attack on the spot a few days prior.
Smollett (39) was found guilty of five counts of felony disorderly behavior for having made what prosecutors call a false report on an alleged attack. He was charged with one for every report that he sent to three officers.
A class 4 felony can result in a sentence up to 3 years imprisonment, however experts believe he may be put on probation or ordered to do community service.
Smollett told the three officers that unknown assailants doused him in bleach and slung a noose around his neck near his Chicago apartment building on January 29, 2019 while proclaiming that ‘this is MAGA country, n****.’
After spending more than 100,000 dollars and 3,000 hours investigating the claims, 26 police officers began to question this story.
She said that it was that jury had struggled to reach a decision about the sixth count.
According to the charge, on February 14th the actor told police that he had lied in an interview and claimed that he had been the victim of an assault. Five other charges stemmed from the actor’s false reporting to police within hours of the attack.
She said that the jury was unclear about the final charge, and the reasons it differed from the other charges.
Jussie and Ola Smollett did not give any explanation for their brothers’ lies. They could have claimed that Abel pretended to not be gay, Ola was homophobic or they wanted Abel to hire them to protect him.
The juror stated that they were informed it was an aggrieved battery as he claimed the defendants were wearing masks.
However, “in all” [of Smollett’s]He mentioned the mask in his accounts.
She said that if prosecutors had tried to charge each count ‘the exact same’, she believes he would be found guilty of all six.
Even though Smollett’s testimony was not convincing, the verdict to convict Smollett was still difficult, she stated.
‘It wasn’t an easy decision. You’ve got the mother sitting there. You are feeling bad. We didn’t know what the penalty would be. Is this the right time to send him to prison? “Yes, we are sending him to jail,” she replied.
“I hope you are happy.” [Smollett and his attorneys]”Know that we entered there with an open mindset,” the juror stated.
“I heard both sides. We wanted to make sure that those who had doubts didn’t feel pressured.’
Uche stated that after Thursday’s conviction, she was going to appeal the verdict. She said that the jury had pronounced the verdict ‘inconsistent’ and that it could not be proven that Jussie wasn’t lying about the exact same incident.
TIMELINE FOR JUSSIE SOLLETT HOAX ATACK SCANDAL
Jan. 22, 2019
Smollett gets a racist, homophobic and threatening letter in Chicago from the studio that filmed ‘Empire. The letter was sent by Smollett, according to police.
According to his brothers, Smollett sent the same letter to Fox Studios where Empire was filmed one week prior. Federal mail fraud is another charge that could land him in 5-10 year prison.
Smollett is said to have cut his own cheek so that it looked like he sustained injuries during the attack. After the attack, Smollett is photographed in an hospital bed selfie, FaceTiming Lee Daniels.
Jan. 29, 2019
Jussie Stmollett told police that he was assaulted by two men downtown Chicago around 2:20 a.m.
According to the actor, they used homophobic and racist slurs and wrapped a rope around him neck before pouring an unknown substance on him.
Smollett (Black and gay) told police that his attackers shouted at Smollett saying he was from ‘MAGA’ country.
Jan. 30, 2019
Chicago police claim they have reviewed hundreds of hours worth of footage from surveillance cameras, which includes Smollett’s walking around downtown. However, none of the footage shows that there was an attack.
Two people are sought by police to be questioned and released images. They were called ‘persons in interest’.
Feb. 1, 2019
Smollett issued a statement that said he was OK, that authorities are working with him and that he had been 100% truthful and consistent at every level.
Feb. 2, 2019
Smollett opened a West Hollywood concert with an emotional speech. He said he needed to perform the show as his attackers couldn’t win.
The police released the following image of people of interest taken at close range to the incident.
Feb. 13, 2019
Chicago police arrest Nigerian brothers after learning that one had worked at Empire.
They are questioned by police and searched their apartments
Jussie Mollett appears on Good Morning America, February 14, 2019.
February 20, 2019,
Smollett is indicted
Feb. 21, 2019
Chicago police report that Smollett has surrendered to a felony disorderly conduct charge, which can land him up to three years imprisonment.
Eddie Johnson, Chicago Police Superintendent says that Smollett orchestrated the attack due to dissatisfaction with his salary and desire for publicity. Investigators claim they have a $3500 check from Smollett that he used to pay his brothers for their assistance.
At a Thursday press conference, Eddie T. Johnson, Chicago Police Department Superintendent, ripped through Smollett and called him “shameful” and “despicable”.
Feb. 22, 2019
Jussie is seen in this mugshot taken February 2019, by Jussie.
Empire producers announce that Smollett’s character will be deleted from the two final episodes.
March 7, 2019
Smollett is accused of falsely reporting an offence by a Cook County grand jury.
February 26, 2019
Smollett attorneys claim that he has been cleared of all charges stemming from his alleged lying to the police.
February 28, 2019,
Officials from Chicago claim they are seeking $130,000 to reimburse Smollett for his investigation into the beating he suffered.
Tina Glandian, Tina’s lawyer for Smollett, claims that attackers may have worn ‘white faces’ on TV. That’s why he described them as light-skinned
April 11, 2019,
Chicago brings a suit to recover investigation expenses.
Tina Glandian, Jussie’s attorney suggested that Jussie said his Nigerian attackers had been white because they were’might’ have worn white faces and disguised themselves. A 2016 video (right), showing Abel Osundairo disguised as Joker, is her evidence.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself from the Smollett case
23 April 2019
Smollett’s brother brothers, who claimed they were involved in the plotting of the attack, filed a defamation suit against his lawyers.
Aug. 23, 2019
The judge names Dan Webb, a former U.S. Attorney to be the special prosecutor in an investigation into why Smollett was not charged.
Feb. 11, 2020
Webb claims that a grand jury has returned six counts against Smollett and accuses him of lying about police.
Feb. 24, 2020
Smollett pleads guilty to the restored charges.
Oct. 15, 2021
Smollett is to be tried in court on November 29th by Judge James Linn.
November 29, 2021The jury selection process begins