Mayor Rahm Emanuel called it 'a whitewash of justice.'
Actor Jussie Smollett leaves the court Tuesday in Chicago. By Elahe Izadi , Elahe Izadi Pop culture writer Email Bio Follow Bethonie Butler and Bethonie Butler Reporter covering television and pop culture Email Bio Follow Mark Berman Mark Berman National news reporter Email Bio Follow March 26 at 7:01 PM Prosecutors in Cook County, Ill.
But the prosecutor’s decision prompted stern rebukes from top officials in the city, which played out again live on television. Magats insisted the decision should not be viewed as an exoneration of Smollett and said he stands by the police department. “They did an outstanding job, and we stand by the decision to charge Mr. Smollett,” said Magats, who took over the case when State’s Attorney Kim Foxx recused herself before the actor’s arrest, with her office citing conversations she had with a Smollett family member.
Smollett’s attorney, Patricia Brown Holmes, offered a different characterization, telling reporters inside the courthouse Tuesday that the actor “voluntarily” forfeited his bond and that there was no deal made with prosecutors. “There is no deferred prosecution,” she said, and admonished the police not to “try their cases in the press.”
Chicago’s police union, which has been critical of Foxx’s office, placed the blame squarely at Foxx’s feet and said moves like this further undermine people’s faith in the law enforcement system.
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