DETAILS: Prosecutors Lay Out Their Case Against Jussie Smollett
Peter D'Abrosca
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The bond proffer in the Jussie Smollett case provides previously unreported details about the “Empire” actor’s hate crime hoax.
Prosecutors began by describing a threatening letter sent to Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, where “Empire” is filmed, addressed to Smollett. The actor reportedly sent this letter to himself.
On Tuesday, January 22, 2019, Defendant Smollett received a written letter at the Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, which is the facility on the Southwest Side of Chicago where the Empire Television Show is filmed. This letter contained written threats directed toward defendant Smollett, and contained a then-unknown white powdery substance. The letter also contained cut out letters pieced together which stated “Smollett Jussie you will die blacl f—,” and the word MAGA was hand written on the envelope where the return address is typically located. This powdery substancee has since been determined to be crushed ibuprofen tablets.
According to prosecutors, the letter also contained a drawing of a stick figure with a noose around its neck with a gun pointed at its head.
The proffer also describes in depth the relationship between Smollett and one of the Nigerian brothers whom he paid to carry out the “attack” against him. Ambimbola Osundairo, one of the brothers, goes by “Abel.” He appears to be closer to Smollett than Olabinjo, his brother.
“Additionally, text messages between Defendant Smollett and Abel revealed that Abel was a source of designer drugs for Defendant Smollett,” the proffer said.
The proffer describes Smollett’s plan in great detail – as relayed to investigators by Smollet himself.
“Defendant Smollett stated that he wanted [the brothers] to appear to attack him on the evening of January 28, 2019 near his apartment building in Streeterville. Defendant Smollett also stated that he wanted the brothers to catch his attention by calling him an “Empire F—— Empire N—–.” Defendant Smollett firther detailed that he wanted Abel to attack him, but not to hurt him too badly and to give him a chance to appear to fight back” it said.
The whole plan was designed not only to make Smollett look not only like a victim, but also a hero. It was painstakingly detailed.
Smollett might have gotten away with the hoax, but for the fact that his “attackers” rolled on him as soon as they were in police custody. It appears that Smollett had not planned on his “attackers” being captured, or that the brothers were not willing to be charged with crimes in order to save Smollett’s reputation.
“Following their arrest and through consultation with their attorneys, the brothers agreed to cooperate with the investigation,” the proffer said.
Read the whole document here.
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