Jussie Smollett: Actor found guilty of lying about attack

A Chicago jury has found that US actor Jussie Smollett lied to police about being the victim of a racist, homophobic assault.

At trial this week, Smollett stood by denials that he staged the attack against himself.

Prosecutors countered there was "overwhelming evidence" that the actor had lied to Chicago police.

He was found guilty of five of six counts of felony disorderly conduct.

Each count carries a penalty of up to three years in prison. Given Smollett's lack of previous convictions, experts have said a lighter sentence or probation is likely.

The trial stemmed from an incident nearly three years ago, in January 2019, when the former Empire television show star told police he was the victim of an attack.

Smollett, who is black and gay, told police he was set upon by two assailants who shouted slurs, yelled a Trump slogan, dumped a "chemical substance" on him, and tied a noose around his neck while he was walking late at night in Chicago.

[Source: BBC]