Few news or entertainment stories garner anywhere near the amount of attention that the Super Bowl. In 2019, there was an exception to the rule and the story still captivates much of the nation’s attention.
Days before the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots were set to take the field for Super Bowl LIV in Atlanta, actor Jussie Smollett walking home from a sandwich shop when he encountered two men. According to NBC News, the two men recognized him from his role on the hit show Empire and began hurling racial and homophobic slurs at him.
“This is MAGA country,” the two men allegedly yelled.
From there, Smollett claims the two men struck him and placed a makeshift noose around his neck.
After news of this incident made its way to news outlets, Smollett received an outpouring of sympathy. However, investigators began to look into the matter further and began raising questions about Smollett’s claims. In a matter of hours, sympathy turned to skepticism. Nearly three years later, Smollett is being accused of staging the event.
On Monday, NBC News reports that jury selection will begin in the trial of Smollett v. City of Chicago. He has been charged with disorderly conduct, a class 4 felony that carries a sentence of up to three years in prison. However, legal experts tell NBC News that Smollett will likely be placed on probation and perform community service if he is convicted.
