Jussie Smollett awaits verdict as jurors consider case

Jurors in Jussie Smollett's trial are expected to resume deliberations Thursday on charges the former 'Empire' actor orchestrated a fake attack on himself, then lied to Chicago police about being the victim of an anti-gay, racist hate crime.

The jury deliberated for about two hours on Wednesday following a roughly one-week trial. They asked Judge James Linn for a copy of a calendar prosecutors displayed at trial that indicated relevant dates, including that of the alleged attack and of what two brothers testified was a "dry run" for the Jan. 29, 2019, assault.

In closing arguments earlier Wednesday, a prosecutor told jurors there is "overwhelming evidence" that Smollett staged the attack, then lied to police about it for publicity. His defence attorney said prosecutors' case was based on lies.

Two brothers testified last week that Smollett recruited them to fake the attack near his home in downtown Chicago. They said Smollett, who is Black and gay, told them to put a noose around his neck, yell racist and homophobic slurs, and rough him up in view of a surveillance camera.

Smollett testified that he was the victim of a real hate crime, telling jurors "there was no hoax. " He called the brothers "liars" and said the US$3,500 check he wrote them was for meal and workout plans. His attorneys argued that the brothers attacked the actor because they are homophobic and that they made up the story about the attack being staged but said they wouldn't testify against Smollett if he paid them each $1 million.