The long road in the Jussie Smollett case finally reached trial Monday in Chicago, more than two years after police first alleged the actor lied about being the victim of a hate crime and wrongfully diverted weeks of investigative manpower.
Jussie Smollett “is a real victim” of a “real crime,” his attorney said in opening statements at the ex-"Empire" actor's trial Monday, rejecting prosecutors’ allegation that he staged a homophobic and racist attack in Chicago after the television studio where he worked didn’t take hate mail he had received seriously.
Three men were fatally shot and 26 others wounded, including a teen trying to buy drugs, in Chicago as citywide gun violence continued over Thanksgiving weekend.
Chicago police are searching for a group of three males who allegedly followed and kidnapped a girl who was walking from Austin College and Career Academy High School on Saturday night.
