Jussie Smollett’s brother, JoJo Smollett, claims he’s seen his brother violently awaken from “night terrors” following the alleged assault.
In an op-ed titled “What If Jussie Is Telling The Truth?” published by BET, JoJo claims, “I have literally seen him violently awaken from night terrors, following the assault.” He notes he isn’t the only one to witness this behavior, “Some of my siblings, as well as Jussie’s partner and closest friends have seen similar things.” He notes, “Jussie is as strong as iron, but following an attack like this, there is a normal and natural amount of post trauma that mostly anyone should expect to suffer.”
JoJo stands by his brother’s account of the story beginning the op-ed noting it “has not yet been 90 days since my younger brother, Jussie Smollett, was assaulted on a cold winter night in Chicago.” He adds, “Within less than three months, his life has been turned upside down as my family and I have witnessed him endure unrelenting attacks to his character and reputation.”
JoJo called into question the validity of the Osundario brothers, who told police that Smollett had masterminded the alleged attack, “With not one inkling of solid evidence, many believed the false witness testimony from two suspects who turned into witnesses, even though they lacked standard credibility.” He points to a Chicago Sun Times article that indicates Olabinjo Osundairo was charged with attempted murder in a 2011 stabbing. The Sun Times reports he pleaded guilty to aggravated battery in the case.
He would also go on to dispute the claim made by Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson that Smollett staged the attack because his career was flagging. JoJO claims Jussie had “worked out a deal with Fox to own 100% of his music masters, released an album, which lead to a sold out world tour and he donated every cent of ticket sales to charity.” He continued, “My brother was developing two films with one of the biggest producers in Hollywood, had the lead to a Broadway show on the table and owns the option rights to the authorized autobiography of his idol, Alvin Ailey.” He added, “To suggest that he staged his own attack to boost a sagging career is ludicrous.”
JoJo would then go on to blame people on the “far-right” for the justice system in the United States.
“We can’t ignore the desire among the far-right to criminalize whole sectors of the country, which they either refuse to accept or feel are natural political opponents. What exacerbates these problems is the bandwagoning and tyranny of the “perceived” majority, which frequently takes shape on social media.”
JoJo concludes his op-ed “hoping there are some conscious-minded people out there who, instead of carelessly victim blaming and shaming, want to loudly ask the simple question: “What if Jussie is telling the truth?””
Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts in March for making false reports to police, where he claimed he was attacked by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs at him and poured an unknown substance on him. He also reported the two men shouted, “MAGA country.”
All charges against Smollett were dropped. However, the city of Chicago has filed a civil lawsuit against Jussie Smollett for the full cost of the city of Chicago’s investigation into the alleged attack on Smollett. The lawsuit reiterates the police’s position that Smollett masterminded the attack.
What do you make of JoJo Smollett’s defense of his brother? Do you think Jussie Smollett is telling the truth or do you believe the city of Chicago’s police officials?