Jussie Smollett: Judge dismisses motions by 'Empire' actor's attorneys

ByJessica D'Onofrio WLS logo

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Judge dismisses motions filed by Smollett's lawyers

A Cook County judge Wednesday dismissed motions filed by Jussie Smollett's attorneys.

CHICAGO -- A Cook County judge Wednesday dismissed motions filed by Jussie Smollett's attorneys.

Attorney Tina Glandian appeared in front of Judge Michael Toomin on behalf of Smollett to overturn the judge's own decision to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate how the actor's case was handled, but it didn't work. That special prosecutor who hasn't been selected by the judge yet could recharge Smollett.

Wednesday's hearing to overturn that decision was crucial to his case and Smollett's attorneys lost. The judge dismissed the motion for a new judge and also denied a motion by Smollett's attorneys to intervene in the case.

"It's become abundantly clear that no one wants to actually deal with the merits of this case," Glandian said. "Nobody really wants the truth here....We are disappointed with the court's ruling and we're going to explore our options."

Last month, Judge Toomin said he would appoint a special prosecutor to investigate why Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx dropped charges against Smollett, which could bring the case back to square one and lead to new charges for Smollett.

There is no timeline for a decision on who will be appointed as special prosecutor.

Retired Appellate Court Judge Sheila O'Brien appeared Wednesday as well. O'Brien successfully petitioned for a special prosecutor because she said she felt that the prosecution wasn't handled right and needed more transparency.

"This case is about, did the state's attorney of Cook County follow the law in her duty to prosecute?" O'Brien said. "It is not the prosecution itself. It's about what she did to prosecute Mr. Smollett."

Smollett was accused of staging an attack on himself in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood in January. Police and prosecutors said Smollett orchestrated the attack with the help of two brothers. One brother was an extra on "Empire" and the other was Smollett's personal trainer.

All charges against Smollett were dropped in late February in exchange for community service and forfeiture of his $10,000 bond payment.

Previous coverage:

Jussie Smollett: Attorneys decline special prosecutor role in actor's case, report says

Jussie Smollett news: 'Empire' actor's attorneys argue against special prosecutor, want judge replaced

Jussie Smollett's attorneys argue for Chicago lawsuit to be moved to federal court

Chicago police release investigative files, video of alleged staged attack on 'Empire' actor

Judge orders special prosecutor to review Jussie Smollett case

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