Late-Night Hosts React to Jussie Smollett’s Dropped Charges

UncleScoopy

“Everyone we think committed crimes, didn’t. R. Kelly and Felicity Huffman, you’re free to go.”

2 thoughts on “Late-Night Hosts React to Jussie Smollett’s Dropped Charges”

  1. I have been trying to think of a reason why the Cook County State’s Attorney would schedule an emergency hearing to dismiss the charges while maintaining that Smollett was actually guilty. Even if they actually thought his previous community service was enough of a payment for his crimes, why not wait until his next scheduled hearing? What bothers me the most about this is that Smollett is allowed to maintain everything he said was true. At a minimum, even if you are going to suspend his sentence he should have been required to allocute (admit to and detail his guilt in open court). One of the many problems with what the State’s Attorney did is it’s going to allow many to argue that rather than find the men who assaulted Smollett, the Chicago police decided to frame him instead. There are many who will believe that’s what happened and it will just be another obstacle in improving police community relations.

    Here is my conspiracy theory. One difficulty civil rights organizations and organizers face today is that the amount of racism in this country is much less than it once was (thankfully). That isn’t to say that racism doesn’t exist, but (with a few terrible exceptions) it is much less prevalent and egregious than it was when I was young. Hate crimes help civil rights organizations fundraise and a high profile fake hate crime probably hurts donations. I could see certain people wanting the Smollett story over and done with and if in fact some people believe Smollett was framed so much the better (for donations if not race relations). Perhaps one or more persons with that agenda had some pull with the Cook County State’s Attorney. If Smollett was resisting taking a plea than just dismissing the charges (at an emergency hearing) might have been the most expeditious way to get it over with.

    I really hope that’s not what happened. Does anyone have a better explanation?

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