Actor Jussie Smollett used the recent protests demanding justice and police reform after the unjustified death of George Floyd, to demand more clarity in his own criminal case, according Page Six.
In court docs obtained by Fox News, the former Empire actor is demanding answers, particularly pertaining to Chicago’s former police supervisor, Eddie Johnson, dismissal last year. Smollett feels it may be a connection to the inconsistencies in the case against him.
“As we see millions across the country rise up to protest and expose police misconduct, the city [of Chicago], by its refusal to produce the requested documents, is choosing to actively resist a citizen’s lawful efforts to reveal dishonesty, directly relating to the charges against him,” reportedly reads the motion that was filed last Friday. Smollett is reportedly demanding that law enforcement release the documents concerning Johnson’s firing.
The motion reportedly says that the former police supervisor “oversaw and publicly commented on the investigation,” that resulted in Smollett’s arrest.
The black actor who is now 37 and identifies as being gay, was charged in January 2019 with 16 counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly lying to police and faking a hate crime.
All charges were eventually dropped back in March of 2019, and Johnson was reportedly fired eight months after. However, Smollett has since been slapped with six new charges.
As a result, the actor’s legal representation is pushing for the discovery documents that detail the reasons for Johnson’s firing. The recent filing alleges that cops, “disparaged Mr. Smollett by characterizing his discovery requests as attempting to ‘muddy the waters.’”
It was also noted that the previous documents released by city officials, “conspicuously omit,” meaning removed, the specific police officers that claimed Smollett made false statements to the police.
Smollett pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct and was released on a $20,000 bond back in February.
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