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

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.

Special prosecutor Dan Webb said the actor recruited the brothers to help him carry out a fake attack, then reported it to Chicago police, who classified it as a hate crime and spent 3,000 staff hours on the investigation.

“When he reported the fake hate crime that was a real crime,” said Webb.

Smollett also told the brothers to buy ski masks, red hats and a rope, Webb told jurors.