Jussie Smollett Testifies Don Lemon Informed Him Police Were Skeptical

Jussie Smollett Testifies Don Lemon Informed Him that Chicago Police Were Skeptical of Alleged Assault

In the ongoing court case of Jussie Smollett, the Empire actor testified on Monday that CNN’s Don Lemon texted him to notify him that Chicago police officers were skeptical about his side of the story of him being assaulted one night in Chicago.

According to Fox News, Smollett, who is on trial as he is accused of staging a physical attack against him in 2019, revealed in court testimony on Monday that Lemon had tipped him off about the investigation that was being done by the Chicago Police Department. The news anchor warned him via text message that the Chicago Police Department had become skeptical of the story he gave police officers concerning an assault that was allegedly made against the actor.

In January 2019, Smollett told police officers that he was assaulted by two masked men who yelled racial epithets and homophobic slurs at him. He also stated that both men then placed a noose around his neck and poured some liquid on him that night.

Skeptical of his version of the incident, prosecutors have charged Smollett with six counts of disorderly conduct as he is being accused of lying to the police officers about the 2019 incident. They allege that the actor paid the brothers $3,500 to stage the attack. Smollett has refuted the theory that he paid the two men to carry out the assault.

Fox News’ Matt Finn reported the testimony from the Chicago courtroom.

Lemon is catching heat for not mentioning his role in Smollett’s trial when he reported on the case on his show late Monday. As Lemon discussed the trial with reporter Omar Jiminez, there was no mention by either reporter about what the Empire actor said in court earlier in the day.

At 10-to-midnight, @DonLemon and @OmarJimenez finally discuss the Jussie Smollett trial. But neither “journalist” mentioned how Smollett testified under oath that Lemon tipped him off to police skepticism of his hoax claims. The whole segment lasted 5 minutes and 7 seconds. pic.twitter.com/fNpgiY9o3J
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) December 7, 2021

Smollett is facing a prison sentence of up to three years, but experts are predicting that if Smollett is found guilty more than likely he will be placed on probation and ordered to perform community service.

Jussie Smollett Testifies Don Lemon Informed Him that Chicago Police Were Skeptical of Alleged Assault