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December 7, 2021

Jussie Smollett Testifies in Own Defense, Denying He Staged a Hate Crime
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In Chicago, actor Jussie Smollett testified in his criminal trial
Monday, where he denied orchestrating a fake hate crime on himself and
said the attack was not a hoax. Smollett was arrested in 2019 accused of
lying to the Chicago police about being violently assaulted on the
street. Police believed Smollett, who is gay and African American, paid
two brothers, who were personal acquaintances of Smollett's, to carry
out a staged attack. The former star on Fox's hit TV show "Empire" is
facing six counts of felony disorderly conduct, and up to three years in
prison if convicted.


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