Jussie Smollett Maintains Innocence as Case Begins

Empire actor Jussie Smollett has pleaded not guiltyto charges of filing fake police reports about his much publicised hate crime attack, reports Sky News.

The openly gay actor claimed to have been attacked by two assailants last month. He alleged they poured bleach on him and told him “This is MAGA country,” in a reference to Trump’s infamous campaign slogan. He said they then put a noose around his neck.

However, new reports have emerged that the actor orchestrated the attack to garner media attention, so he could ask for a pay rise on his TV series.

He now faces three years in prison and over $25,000 in fines, if found guilty.

“He will do everything he needs to do. He will go the extra mile to cooperate with the process,” said Smollett’s spokesperson Anne Kavanagh.

Smollett’s lawyer, Tina Glandian, added that they were not afraid of allowing cameras into the courtroom: “We welcome cameras in the courtroom so that the public and the media can see the actual evidence and what we believe is actually going to be the lack of evidence against Mr. Smollett.

“We look forward to complete transparency and the truth coming out.”

Smollett’s other lawyer, Mark Geragos, recently told CNN’s Anderson Cooper: “What is happening here is, frankly, a media gangbang of this guy of unprecedented proportions.

“I’ve never seen a media pendulum swing more quickly and more viciously and rob somebody of their presumption of innocence like this case has.

“It’s startling the way people assume that he’s guilty.”

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