Court overturns Jussie Smollett’s conviction in 2019 alleged attack that prosecutors said was staged

Source: CBC News [Canadian state media]

“The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday overturned actor Jussie Smollett’s conviction on charges that he staged a racist and homophobic attack against himself in downtown Chicago in 2019 and lied to police. The state’s highest court ruled that a special prosecutor should not have been allowed to intervene after Cook County state’s attorney initially dropped charges against Smollett in exchange for forfeiting his $10,000 bond and conducting community service. The ruling and the appeal did not address Smollett’s continued claim of innocence. Smollett, who is [b]lack and gay, claimed two men assaulted him, spouted racial and homophobic slurs and tossed a noose around his neck, leading to a massive search for suspects by Chicago police detectives and kicking up an international uproar.” (11/21/24)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/smollett-charges-overturned-1.7389582