Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson is speaking out about theJussie Smollettcase, saying his department gave theEmpireactor every benefit of the doubt as they investigated his claims thattwo masked men attacked himin a racist and homophobic hate crime.
“The entire time that we investigated the incident he was treated like a victim,” Johnson toldGood Morning Americaanchor Robin Roberts on Monday morning.
Johnson says that even as the star’s story allegedly started to unravel, he insisted the investigation continue with Smollett as a victim. “I refused to let CPD characterize him as a suspect unless we had concrete evidence,” he said.
But, according to Johnson, the evidence soon became overwhelming that Smollet had allegedlyfiled a false report. It was then that Johnson decided to publicly debunk his story.
“There’s a lot more evidence that hasn’t been presented yet that does not support his innocence,” Johnson told the show, citing “physical [evidence], video and testimony.”
Smollett, who is black and gay, is facing a felony charge of disorderly conduct. If convicted, he could serve up to three years in prison.
On Thursday, Chicago police held apress conferencein which they alleged Smollettpaid $3,500 to stage a “bogus” attackagainst him to draw attention to himself because he was dissatisfied with his salary — a claim he denies.
Johnson says that Smollett’s allegations are damaging to Chicago.
“The city of Chicago has its issues, the Chicago Police Department has its issues with racism and excessive force and all of that, and I’m acutely aware of that,” Johnson toldGMA. “But we didn’t earn this particular incident and I just refuse to let us have to take that shot if I have evidence to the contrary. It’s a damaging thing to do to a city and to a police department, so it’s my responsibility to ensure that the record gets set straight.”
Johnson’s interview came days afterEmpireexecutive producers announced that the actor’s character Jamal Lyon will be removed from the final two episodes of season 5.
Jussie Smollett.Chicago Police Department/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Smollett wasarrestedlast Thursday morning after turning himself in to police, one day after he wascharged. He presented in bond court on Thursday afternoon, where a judge set his bond at $100,000; hewas releasedafter posting $10,000 bond. He has also been asked to surrender his passport. His next hearing is scheduled for March 14.
Smollett’s attorneys say that they are gearing up to launch an“aggressive defense”to fight the charge.
source: people.com
