Recently released police bodycam footage shows Jussie Smollett speaking to officers with a rope still around his neck after they arrived at his Chicago apartment after receiving calls that the Empire actor was attacked.
Smollett's manager can be heard telling officers, "He doesn't want this to be a big deal, you understand what I'm saying. The thing that makes me emotional is they put this makeshift loop, what do you call that thing, a noose around his (expletive) neck. I'm sorry, you know. And that is what bothers me, the cut thing doesn't bother me at all. If that makes any sense."
Smollett claimed he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack on January 29, where he says a rope was tied around his neck and bleach was thrown on him. After investigating the incident, Chicago police claim that Smollett staged the attack with the help of the Osundairo brothers, who he knew.
While Smollett was initially charged with 16 counts of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report, the charges were dropped in February. A special prosecutor is currently investigating why the charges were dropped and if Smollett's charges need to be reinstated.
Source: ABC
