Jussie Smollett allegedly rehearsed his January Chicago attack days before the incident, according to law enforcement sources.
Per TMZ on Monday, Abel and Ola Osundairo — who were allegedly paid by the Empire star to orchestrate the attack, according to insiders via CNN — told cops they got in a car with the thespian to scout a location.
Related: Celebs React To Jussie Smollett’s Alleged Assault!
Allegedly, they chose an area outside Smollett’s apartment because he believed a camera would capture the action.
The Nigerian brothers are also said to claim Jussie wanted the scene to be a “physical thing,” but not to the point of him getting seriously injured.
On the night in question, Abel and Ola said they showed up, but were extremely nervous, and even believed they might have been identified when a car drove by.
Allegedly, they performed as they did in the rehearsal, and screamed out that they knew Jussie was from the Fox show, in addition to shouting out racist and homophobic insults.
While they “made contact with Jussie’s face,” their force was “weak.” Afterward, the brothers were confused by the actor’s alleged bruises as they never intended to cause him significant harm.
According to the publication on Sunday, when cops arrived at the alleged incident, Smollett took them to the area, and pointed at the camera, claiming he was glad the “attack” was recorded. Allegedly, the camera was pointed in the wrong direction, and did not capture the scene.
Meanwhile, according to law enforcement sources via TMZ, there is a 50/50 chance the actor’s Grand Jury hearing — for allegedly filing a false police report — will not happen on Tuesday, and may be delayed for several days.
Reportedly, the Osundairo brothers will testify voluntarily, though they have not been subpoenaed, nor have they received immunity from prosecution. They also reportedly did not file a false police report, nor did they give false information to the cops.
Apparently, authorities want to make sure they have all the records necessary for the jury to reach a conclusion on whether or not to indict the actor.
Though their investigation has “shifted,” the Chicago Police Department have not officially declared Smollett a suspect.
[Image via Nicky Nelson/WENN.]
Related Posts
