The Jussie Smollett trial: Timeline of how this case ended up in court

The ongoing probe has been replete with one stunning twist after another.

When news broke of the alleged racist attack on a star from one of the most popular shows on television, it riveted the public, drawing the nation into a heated discussion about race, politics and celebrity.

But as the investigation continued, growing skepticism about "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett's story added enormous pressure on Chicago investigators to get to the bottom of what really happened the night he reported being the victim of a street attack.

With the trial's jury selection beginning on Monday, people can expect some clarification on this case.

Earlier, at an emergency hearing in a Cook County courtroom in Illinois, all criminal charges against Smollett were dropped – a confounding end to one of the most bizarre and baffling alleged criminal attacks involving a Hollywood star in recent American history.