Jussie Smollett was back in court this week, this time to answer to allegations that he lied to police about his alleged hate attack.
Details below…
As reported, the City of Chicago re-filed the dropped criminal charges against the ‘Empire’ actor last month.
At this latest hearing, he entered a not guilty plea on all six counts he’s facing.
This latest chapter spins more chaos into what is already a tangled web.
For, after the initial criminal case against Smollett controversially collapsed, a lawsuit was filed against him seeking thousands to compensate the investigation into the attack authorities now believe he lied about. A move, many felt, was designed to hold him responsible – regardless of what the criminal proceedings could establish.
However, Smollett remained and remains steadfast about his innocence; going on to file a countersuit.
With criminal charges back in the mix, if convicted he faces three years behind bars.
As it stands, Smollett’s legal team have requested the new case be dismissed – citing the notion of him being penalised already, thus activating double jeopardy.
Watch his arrival at court below…