US actor Jussie Smollett guilty on fake hate crime charges

Washington, Dec 10: Former television actor Jussie Smollett was found guilty Thursday in Chicago on charges stemming from a hate crime he had initially claimed to be the victim of in a controversial case.

Three years ago, Smollett, an openly gay Black actor then appearing on the hit musical drama series"Empire," called police alleging that he had been called a homophobic slur and a noose had been placed around his neck by men in the red hats worn by then-President Donald Trump's supporters.

Police dug into the case and alleged he had paid two fellow actors on the show to stage the crime.

On Thursday, a jury in Chicago agreed. As Smollett was found guilty on five counts of disorderly conduct for each time he allegedly lied to police, he stood stone-faced in front of the jury.

The motive for why he may have faked the incident three years ago remains unknown.

ar/wd (AP, Reuters)

Source: DW