Two brothers who told Chicago police they carried out the attack on actor Jussie Smollett say they feel tremendous regret, according to a statement released by their attorney on March 1, 2019.
“They understand how it has impacted people across the nation, particularly minority communities and especially those who have been victims of hate crimes themselves,” attorney Gloria Schmidt said in the statement, as reported by WTTW and other outlets.
Smollett reported that two men attacked him in Chicago on January 29. He told police the men shouted racial and homophobic slurs, put a rope around his neck and poured an unknown chemical substance on him.
Chicago police later identified the two men as brothers Ola and Abel. Police said the brothers told investigators that Smollett asked them to stage the attack because he was unhappy with his salary. Smollett was then charged with filing a false police report. He and his attorneys have denied the allegation and say he is innocent. He is due back in court on March 14.
The brothers were released without charges. Their attorney has not said anything beyond the statement about their role.
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