Now that Jussie Smollett has been arrested for falsifying a police report, we have a much clearer idea of how the actor went about staging his own assault.
Allegedly, that is.
Courtesy of documents filed by prosecutors at Smollett’s bond hearing on February 21, we know when Smollett contacted the men who would help his go through with this scheme… what the original plan was between the trio… and what Smollett provided these men with in order to carry out the supposed assault.
Again: Allegedly, that is.
The details described here are chilling and disturbing.
Scroll down to get a fuller picture of exactly what Smollett is accused orchestrating.
UPDATE: All charges against Jussie Smollett have been dropped!
Smollett is Free on $100,000 Bond
He was released from jail on Thursday afternoon and rushed to a waiting SUV, not saying anything to the throng of reporters gathered around him as he made his way to the car.
What Has He Been Charged with Again?
Felony disorderly conduct – for falsifying a police report. The charge he faces carries a maximum sentence of three years in jail.
The Judge Comes Down Hard
During Thursday’s proceedings, members of Smollett’s family were in the courtroom with him as the judge, John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr., said that he found the investigators’ account of the incident disturbing, especially the assertion that Smollett had used a rope around his neck to heighten outrage.
What Did the Judge Say?
“We live in a country where you are presumed innocent,” he told the actor “However, if these allegations are true, I find them utterly outrageous. Especially the violent, despicable use of a noose, which conjures such evil in our country.”
As for the Details in These Legal Documents?
They start with the letters sent to Smollett on the set of Empire. It remains a little ambiguous whether police believe Smollett sent them to himself, but they contained a powerdery white substance.
Was It Anthrax?
It was meant to come across that way, but it turned out to be crushed Ibuprofen.
Let’s Get to the So-Called Assault…
Then on January 25, Jussie sent off a text message to Abel Osundairo, who worked as an extra on Empire and as Smollett’s personal trainer. It read: “Might need your help on the low. You around to meet up and talk face to face?”
The Connection
Police say Abel and Jussie had been friends since the fall of 2017 – and that Jussie sometimes bought ecstasy from Abel.
The Next Step
Later on the January 25, Smollett and Abel met face to face outside the latter’s Chicago apartment and talked inside Jussie’s car about staging the attack. Cops say this is when Ola, Abel’s brother, was brought onboard. The siblings are pictured here.
This Was the Original Plan, Cops Say:
Ola was going to place a rope around Jussie’s neck, pour gasoline on him and scream, “This is MAGA country.” At that point in the planning, they say Jussie gave the brothers a $100 bill to go purchase necessary items for the “attack.”
Two Days Later…
On January 27, the trio met up again and drove around Chicago to scout locations. Police believe Smollett told his associates to leave their cell phones and pointed out a surveillance camera near Jussie’s apartment that he thought would record the incident.
This Was One of Many Mistakes He Made
Police first became suspicious of Smollett after he took them to this spot, post-attack, and immediately pointed out the camera. (Which, as it turns out, was pointed in the opposite direction and recorded nothing of note.)
The “Assault” Nears
For reasons unknown, Smollett and the siblings changed to bleach from gasoline. Smollett also handed them a $3,500 check – payable to Abel – and backdated it to January 23.
He Gave Them a Traceable Check?!?!?
Yes. But he wrote “training” in the memo.
Caught on Camera
On January 28, the brothers purchased the materials and Abel deposited the check. This is a surveillance camera photo of the siblings buying ski masks and what not.
Time to Commit a Crime
At 12:49 a.m. on January 29, cops say there was a three-minute call between Smollett and Abel, during which Jussie told him the “attack” would go down at exactly 2 a.m. Authorities have Smollett’s cell phone records to validate this claim.
They Also Have Other Evidence
Police are now stating they do have surveillance footage of the brothers waiting on a bench near the predetermined staging location around 2 a.m. They say Jussie was running late.
Leaving the Country
The Osundairos boarded a flight for Nigeria later on January 29. However, police say Jussie spoke to Abel on January 30… for 8 minutes and 48 seconds, while Abel was in Turkey.
Were Drugs Somehow Involved?
In a new twist, Smollett apparently told police he has a drug problem, perhaps forecasting his upcoming defense.
Did He Reveal Anything Else About Himself?
According to documents filed, Smollett answered “no” to alcohol or mental health problems.
Incredibly, Smollett Returned to Work After Posting Bond
He appeared on the Empire set on Thursday and sounded embarrassed and apologetic, sources tell TMZ, saying the following to his co-stars: “I’m sorry I’ve put you all through this and not answered any calls. I wanted to say I’m sorry and, you know me, I would never do this to any of you, you are my family. I swear to God, I did not do this.”
Still, Many of These Co-Stars Want Smollett Fired
We’d be stunned if this isn’t the decision producers and executives soon arrive at.
The Police are PISSED
“Absolute justice would be an apology to this city that he smeared, admitting what he did and then be man enough to offer what he should offer up in terms of resources put into this,” said Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson at a press conference.
Donald Trump Also Wants an Apology
From Smollett, not from the white nationalist who was apprehended on the same day as Smollett, armed with a cache of weapons and a list of journalists he thinks should be killed. But anyway.
But Smollett is Innocent Until Proven Guilty
In the eyes of the law. With the brothers going on record against him, with the check as evidence and with his cell phone records in the hands of police, it seems very hard to believe that Smollett is innocent at this point. (UPDATE: Lawyers have now dropped all charges against him.)