Retired Judhe Sheila O’Brien, subpoenaed State Attorney Kim Foxx and Deputy Joseph Magats for the handling of Empire actor Jussie Smollett’s case.
What We Know:
- The 16 charges made against Smollett were dropped by Foxx in march. Alternatively, Smollett was required to do 16 hours of community service and forfeit his $10,000 bond to the city. The decision happened after Foxx recused herself and appointed Deputy Magats to handle the case.
- Information arose about Foxx exchanging texts with one of Smollett’s family members and Magats about lowering the charges against Smollett.
- O’Brien stated in court documents that ‘Foxx’s conflict in this matter is beyond dispute, she misled the public into believing that Smollett’s case was handled like any other prosecution and without influence.’
- The petition requests for Foxx, Magats and Smollett to produce the original documents from the case to assure the public that “they have not been altered or destroyed and will not be destroyed throughout [the] case.”
- Smollett will also be required to make a court appearance.
- Since the incident, Foxx has continued to stance to defend her decision to drop the charges and is open to an independent investigation.
- Monday, Foxx filed three motions. The first and second motion opposing O’Brien’s request for a special prosecutor and from requesting further subpoenas. The third motion seeking the court to grant her and the county Inspector General access to the files regarding the case.
The Chicago Sun-Time’s reported that the state’s attorney’s office would not make any further comments until the investigation is over.
