Police authorities are considering the possibility of Jussie Smollett's involvement in the orchestration of his own attack. The two suspects who were arrested after cops raided their home, and later released without charges, were supposedly paid by Smollett to rehearse and perform the apparent hate crime. Their reported testimonies have heightened the skepticism regarding the victim's original story.
Chicago Police Department Spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said the cases' trajectory has "shifted" after police interrogated Ola and Abel Osundairo. “We’re not confirming, denying or commenting on anything until we can talk to him and we can corroborate some information that we’ve gotten,” Guglielmi said.
Smollett reps have yet to confirm whether their client has accepted the follow-up interview. On Sunday, Pamela Sharp, a spokeswoman for the star, said there were no updates "as of now." Another rep, Anne Kavanagh, later said she could not comment on whether he had agreed to another interview.
A statement issued by his attorneys, following the Osundairo brothers' release, commented on the development of the case. It considers the amicable nature of all three men's relationship. One of the brothers is Smollett's personal trainer. “It is impossible to believe that this person could have played a role in the crime against Jussie or would falsely claim Jussie’s complicity,” the statement read.
