Jussie Smollettis “fiercely” maintaining his innocence after he was released from jail.
“Today we witnessed an organized law enforcement spectacle that has no place in the American legal system,” the statement begins.
Jussie Smollett.Chicago Police Department/AP/REX/Shutterstock
The statement comes hours after Smollett, who claimed he was thesubject of a racist and homophobic attackat the hands of two men on Jan. 29 in Chicago, waspresent in bond court on Thursdayafternoon, just hours after turned himself into police.
He was dressed in a black jacket with his hands clasped behind his back. Smollett’s family members were also present in the courtroom.
Judge John F. Lyke Jr. set Smollett’s bond at $100,000; he was released after posting $10,000 bond. He has also been asked to surrender his passport. His next hearing is scheduled for March 14.
Jussie Smollett leaving court on Feb. 21.TANNEN MAURY/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Text messages between Smollett and brothers Abimbola “Abel” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo that detailed how the 45-second attack was to be allegedly orchestrated were read in court.
Smollett and his legal team are gearing up to launch an “aggressive defense,” according to his attorneys Todd Pugh and Victor Henderson.
“Like any other citizen, Mr. Smollett enjoys the presumption of innocence, particularly when there has been an investigation like this one where information, both true and false, has been repeatedly leaked,” Pugh and Henderson said in a statement given to PEOPLE on Wednesday. “Given these circumstances, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation and to mount an aggressive defense.”
If Smollett is found guilty, falsifying a police report is a Class 4 felony which carries a potential sentence of up to three years in prison.
Theo Wargo/Getty
Smollett, who was given the presumption of being a victim until the latter stages of the investigation, is now the third person arrested in the case.
Later Thursday, after posting bond and being released from jail,Smollett returned to the Chicago set ofEmpire, the Fox drama in which he stars as main character Jamal Lyon.
source: people.com
