Smollett charges dropped

[#UnleashSean]

Since this was going to be posted eventually...

Mods lock.

[D'Lo Brown]

[mu-rara]

Jussie is on the right side of the two sided justice system we have in the US.

[Not A Serious Person]

Let's make this thread simple ....

If you think the Illinois States Attorney made the right move, and/or that Jussie deserved to get off, make your case.

Otherwise, I will assume everyone here with an account would answer these questions no and no.

[Johnny B]

Love how he has the audacity to make a statement basically saying " see I was honest since day one" to.the media. We have video of his black friends buying crap to stage the attack. Broken justice system. Lol

[Benny B]

Federal investigation is on-going.  I’m honestly wondering if this is a situation where the state is getting out of the feds’ way so as to not inhibit the latter’s investigation/case.

[Eldon]

In before the lock.

[Not A Serious Person]

Federal investigation is on-going.  I’m honestly wondering if this is a situation where the state is getting out of the feds’ way so as to not inhibit the latter’s investigation/case.

By destroying their own reputation and getting leftist/democrats and the Chicago Police to demand an investigation of their office?

[rocket surgeon]

and sealed all of the documents so a FOI cannot even be executed...hmmmm

wonder what those 2 nigerian guys are doing right about now? 

[DegenerateDish]

Even by Chicago/Cook County standards, this case absolutely stinks beyond belief.

Nothing in Cook County is a coincidence. The announcement of all charges being dropped while Rahm and Johnson are at the police graduation at Navy Pier, coincidence? Ha.

The Cook County State's Attorney office ran over, backed up, ran over again, backed up one more time, and ran over again the CPD here. CPD sins past/present aren't the issue here, but the lack of even professional courtesy here to the CPD and Mayor's office is asinine, complete slap in the face, especially given the high profile nature of this particular case.

Even if the Feds are going to file charges, what was the rush to drop the charges today?

Word out this evening is that Smollett did 16 hours (ironic that he had 16 counts against him) of community service for Rainbow Push, including critiquing students, working in the bookstore, and talking to visitors (?!?!??!?!?).

I know this thread will get locked, I wish it wouldn't, because I'd love to hear from Sir Lawrence or another lawyer on here about their take.

[rocket surgeon]

very concerned if the feds decide to charge because, well...this country does not need anymore finger pointing and partisan divisiveness.  time to chill.  but this dude just saying he held to the truth from day one is a lie

[WarriorDad]

Indefensible is the title of the Tribune editorial.  Perfect description.  Foxx owes answers. Federal charges are still possible. 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-jussie-smollett-hoax-rahm-emanuel-20190326-story.html

[HutchwasClutch]

Jussie is on the right side of the two sided justice system we have in the US.

Nailed it.

[dgies9156]

I'm candidly appalled by what happened. I get that an ordinary, non-celebrity citizen who pulled a stunt like Mr. Smollett did would under similar circumstances get a relatively lenient treatment by the courts.

However, the amount of investment the Chicago Police Department made in investigating the case was significant. What happens to that cost? The beleaguered Chicago taxpayers pay it or, as Eddie Johnson eloquently said, it is time taken away from investigating real crime. We have some real problems in Chicago and we really don't need some Hollywood charlatan forcing the police department to take time to investigate a joke.

More importantly, why were the records sealed? What is the State's Attorney, the judge and the defendant's counsel hiding from public view? Given what John Kass calls the "Chicago Way," one naturally is led to wonder what on earth is so sensitive in those files that nobody wants them seen. Or who was paid?

Sadly, Cook County has the nickname, "Crook County." It's days like yesterday that give the city and the county a very, very bad reputation.

[Coleman]

Still bewildered by this. I don't think anyone with a brain on this board is going to make a case charges should have been dropped. It goes beyond partisan politics. Democrats and Republicans agree on this. I share Rahm's outrage.

[StillAWarrior]

More importantly, why were the records sealed? What is the State's Attorney, the judge and the defendant's counsel hiding from public view? Given what John Kass calls the "Chicago Way," one naturally is led to wonder what on earth is so sensitive in those files that nobody wants them seen. Or who was paid?

For what it's worth, some of what I read suggests that Smollett's lawyers were just as surprised as the rest of us.

[4everwarriors]

Real tough ta bee a cop deez daze. Kant understand why anyone wood want dat gig, hey?

[rocket surgeon]

After a grand jury, who saw some, not all, but enough evidence to charge Jussie with 16 counts.  Word is there is even more damning evidence.  Joseph magats, the asst states atty who took over for a recused Kim Fox takes the fall and drops all the charges except for the joke of community service for...Jessie Jackson. 

  If the feds take this case, it’s going to reopen all kinds of racism accusations and  worse because that narrative has already been established.  Read the media relentless attacks on the WH and the administration. It will further detract from what really happened here and justify in some people’s minds that Jussie can not possibly get a fair trial via the fed route either. 

Take “celebrity” minority/ minority/ minority out of this and you have a very simple case here.  But the fact that the perp was a “celebrity” makes this even worse. CPD went out of its way to try to make amends and to try to show the people that they care and relentlessly investigated this case to protect its people. Well, careful what ya wish for...oh wait, you can stop looking now-seal the case and...never mind?. 

This case is very simple- Take Jussie the “ celebrity” out of it  What does the evidence show

There has to be some kind of pathology here.  Ends justify the means? 

Why isn’t Jussie concerned with finding the real perps so this does not happen to anyone else?  Maybe o.j. Can help him out?

[Cheeks]

and sealed all of the documents so a FOI cannot even be executed...hmmmm

wonder what those 2 nigerian guys are doing right about now?

The judge is up for re-election next year...my prediction is he wins in a landslide.

JS good pals with JJ, BO and that’s all that is needed perhaps?

[jficke13]

After a grand jury, who saw some, not all, but enough evidence to charge Jussie with 16 counts.  [...]

A grand jury would indict a ham sandwich. That a grand jury indicted is is not a particularly damning fact.

[Benny B]

Word on the street this morning is basically this:

I get that an ordinary, non-celebrity citizen who pulled a stunt like Mr. Smollett did would under similar circumstances get a relatively lenient treatment by the courts.

That said, several questions marks as to the announcement (ranging from "who was in on this decision" all the way to "why didn't they wait until Friday at 4:45p") and even more questions as to sealing the case... which basically allows Jussie to claim innocence.

Even if the sentence would have eventually been time served/community service, allowing him to "wipe the record clean" isn't exactly a deterrent to others considering making false accusations in the future.

[jficke13]

Federal investigation is on-going.  I’m honestly wondering if this is a situation where the state is getting out of the feds’ way so as to not inhibit the latter’s investigation/case.

The allegedly false threat sent to the studio through the mail would be the most likely to be prosecuted by the feds thing... postal inspectors are no joke.

[jficke13]

Even by Chicago/Cook County standards, this case absolutely stinks beyond belief.
[...]

Initially when I read he agreed to forfeit his bond I thought "well there it is." But at only $10k that hardly seems like it would move the needle.

[Cheeks]

OJ and JS can get together now to find the real criminals.

[dgies9156]

Next idea: Why doesn't the City of Chicago tabulate the costs of the investigation in terms of police manpower and file a civil suit against Mr. Smollett personally? Use the corporation counsel for a litigator if you want a low budget case or retain one of the city's high powered legal counsels if you want to win and find buried treasure.

Can't hurt and would send a strong message. Did a great job of dealing with OJ!