Now, can we PLEASE talk about something else?

it's important to discuss the case.

An awful lot of people on this forum just accepted guilt on no facts.

Yes, Jussie Smollet has a very public job (though I've never heard of him before this, but that's on me, I'm old), but really, this has nothing to do with anyone beyond the folks involved, and the entertainment media folks who depend on these stories for their livelihood.

We merely speculate ("discuss&quot on it.

Guilt carries with it predetermined consequences levied by the court system alone, wholly independent of any one poster on a message board.

Again, we merely speculate ("discuss&quot on it.

n/t

...something to do with the credibility of the two brothers accusing him.

Limited resources explains most prosecutorial decisions in this country. But who knows?

upon my part, but there is a distinct possibility that the prosecutors have read a report from the defense's psychiatrist, and have agreed to drop charges in return for his agreeing to treatment. The prosecution had plenty of evidence to confirm the brothers' story, so I don't think that is likely a factor.

...think about how summarily this has been dismissed.

It's not at the end of treatment, as most prosecutions require, nor has there been ANY mention of mental health treatment by the prosecution.

This was dropped in a lurch, signaling something happened with the prosecution. If there was a deal, there would be a record, an accounting. What we're left with is a sealed indictment and a case dropped in the middle of what prosecutors had said was a slam dunk.

Now were supposed to think this was some humanitarian gesture by prosecutors? That would, in itself, be breaking news.

The brothers confirmed they were the attackers. They dropped the dime on Smollett after hours and hours of denials to investigators they were even involved in the attack.

Let's see if they get charged now. Or, let's look for the most likely culprit, police* misconduct for the way the brothers were interrogated and how their statement was obtained..

and was permitted to do so on the court house steps.

Now they need a two hour press conference with the police chief explaining it.

I wonder what's going on.

He was represented by Mark Geragos, who apparently is charged along with Avenatti in that NIKE mess.

He was working with Avenatti but I don't think he was charged

Wow!

let the book and movie deals roll!

...at the least, uncorroborated.

You don't get jail for that.

One does not forfeit one’s bond if one is completely innocent. I would think he would sue.

Please show me any plce where it is claimed he is not innocent? You can't.

If he was attacked in a hate crime, surely he would want justice, yes?

... went wrong on a technicality

... arrest record as if the arrest wasn't even valid.

“After reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including Mr. Smollet’s volunteer service in the community and agreement to forfeit his bond to the City of Chicago, we believe this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case,” the Cook County state’s attorney’s office said in statement.

The judge set Smollett's bond at $100,000. He posted bond and was released from custody shortly before 4 p.m.

A forfeited bond becomes the property of the jurisdiction overseeing the case, and it cannot be refunded.

...but it sounds like the prosecution is trying to cover their wrongful arrest.

The fact that the actor already performed those acts doesn't mean it was why the case was dismissed. It sounds bogus. Why would they let go of the charges, halfway through, just because he completed a little community service? There were like 16 charges!

We do not know all the details, yet, but it can absolutely be they charged him 10K for expungement and sealing, as per two litigators I am friends with,

I do not know how it went from $100,000 bond - which was widely reported when originally arranged to $10,000 which is being reported by many now (some still saying $100,000 ...)

Sounds like the prosecution may not have had as good as case as they thought ... not sure ...

edit from Buzzfeed today for example
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/michaelblackmon/jussie-smollett-charges-dropped

Chicago prosecutors said Tuesday that Smollett was forfeiting the $100,000 bond he had paid to be released from jail in February as part of the decision to drop the charges.

I’m not sure what they did in this case though.

I defer (teehee) to them.

what in the Hell does someone have to do?

Too many people raged against Smollett and abandoned the important notion of the Presumption of Innocence.

There is no point in complaining about Donald Trump if you can respect the process of law.

...this one was dropped by the DA decisively in the middle of the prosecution.

And expunged and sealed everything?

This is literally the opposite of that.

that made this decision. Especially after that prosecutor had already stated that no crime had been committed before being hired.

See how easy that is Republicans?

unrelated, here's a statement

... up some shit.

from what I have been hearing, is that the arrest was bogus to begin with. Prosecutors do not offer this if type of deal willy nilly. There were some major problems that they want to keep out of the press. As for forfeiting the bond? It was $100,000 which means he paid 10,000 cash. Not a lot of money to someone with his earning potential. Forfeiting the bond closes the case quicker.

My theory? The police coerced the brothers to say JS paid them to beat him up. The police chief was so sure JS set this up he would go to any length to arrest him.

...a most likely culprit.

Big enough to get the prosecutor to offer this outcome. This even took the defense lawyers by surprise.

... for the CPD to do this.

So damn slimy

...in literally countless internet smears.

So, making like this is a big nothing is subjective to what your interest is.

Google helps, but I've been concerned with this black, prominent member of the LGBT community's plight from the beginning of his reported assault.

And you know you a mob was allowed to run free with the initial charges, so more than a little room is deserved for this acquittal.

On "Empire" a hit tv show. He is black and gay. A short while ago he was beaten up in Chicago. He was arrested and charged with 16 counts. The police said he paid 2 brothers he knew (they were his fitness and diet coach) to beat him up to advance his career.

Today, not only are the charges being dropped, but expunged and records sealed.