Jussie Smollett was ‘real victim’ of racist attack, lawyer says as trial begins

Ex-Empire actor is accused of hiring two men to fake an attack in Chicago but new evidence could support Smollett's defense

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.

Defense attorney Nenye Uche said two brothers attacked Smollett in January 2019 because they didn't like him, and that a $3,500 check the actor paid the men was for training so he could prepare for an upcoming music video, not as payment for staging a hate crime, as prosecutors allege. Uche also suggested a third attacker was involved and told jurors there is not a shred" of physical and forensic evidence linking Smollett to the crime prosecutors allege.