But, as time passed, many people picked up on certain oddities about the story, such as just how racist homophobes would recognize a supporting cast member from a show that, frankly, falls far outside their demographic. There was also the fact that Smollett allegedly had bleach poured on him during the attack, despite the temperature outside being far colder than the freezing point of bleach. Others thought it strange that, despite having his cellphone, he decided to walk home and wait for nearly an hour before phoning the police. He also, when asked by the police to submit his phone records to help the investigation, gave them only a highly redacted record. These and several other curiosities led many to be skeptical of his story.
Now it seems that those who waited before believing his story may have been right to do so. https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/02/16/ente ... index.html
CNN wrote: Two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation tell CNN that Chicago Police believe actor Jussie Smollett paid two men to orchestrate an assault on him that he reported late last month.
While the CPD is playing this close to their chest for now, it appears that they may no longer believe the attack happened.
So, discussion time:
1. Do you believe that Smollett is telling the truth?
2. If he is lying, what should the penalty be?
3. Should the media be held accountable for popping off before any facts other than his statements came to light?
My opinion: I think he's probably lying and have thought so from the beginning. His story just seems wrong. I accept the possibility that the attack did happen but it seems very unlikely.
If he is lying I think he should be given the strictest possible charges for wasting police time and contributing to a climate of irrational anger and fear. I worry that this may not be what happens, given the notoriously limp wristed treatment celebrities often receive from the justice system.
I think the media and public figures on Twitter should own up to the fact that they eagerly jumped to support a story that was honestly shaky from the beginning. This one I know won't happen.
So, what say you, NSers?
Update: Multiple unnamed sources within the CPD are reporting to local news organizations that the attack is being investigated as a hoax, though Smollett's attorneys deny these reports. The CPD remains non-commital in its statements to the public, insisting for now only that they desire another interview with Smollett.
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/02/18 ... ttack/amp/