A verdict has been reached in the trial of Jussie Smollett, according to Mary Wisniewski, director of communications for the Office of the Chief Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court.
The jury of six men and six women deliberated for more than nine hours, two hours on Wednesday and about seven hours on Thursday.
The trial, which began last week, stems from an incident nearly three years ago when Smollett, who is Black and gay, told police two men attacked him late one night by his Chicago apartment. The mystery suspects called him anti-gay and racist slurs, put a noose around his neck, poured bleach on him and exclaimed, “This is MAGA country,” he told police.
Smollett faces six counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly making false reports to police that he was a victim of a hate crime in early 2019. The former “Empire” actor has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has repeatedly denied making up or orchestrating the attack.
More News
A Week of Pomp to Project Putin’s Confidence
Several Tornadoes Reported As Severe Weather Batters Central and Southern U.S.
20 Unforgettable Looks at the Met Gala