The Jussie Smollett hate hoax story officially blew up Thursday.
According to reports, Chicago police took two persons of interest in Smollett’s hate hoax crime into custody late Wednesday night.
The persons of interest were NIGERIAN BROTHERS — THEY WERE BLACK — NOT WHITE MAGA SUPPORTERS!
CBS Chicago reporter Charlie De Mar said Thursday that police raided the home of the two persons of interest Wednesday night. Police took bleach, shoes, electronics and more. Both men are of Nigerian descent and appeared on the show ‘Empire.’
BREAKING:Police raided the home of two persons of interest in Jussie Smollett case last night. Both men are of Nigerian decent and have appeared as extras on the show. Police took bleach, shoes electronics and more.Officers asked family if they knew #Jussiesmollett. @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/PDSFtf5jwb
— Charlie De Mar (@CharlieDeMar) February 14, 2019
Later Thursday it was reported by both ABC 7 Chicago and CBS Chicago that top sources are saying the MAGA hate crime against Smollett was staged.
ABC 7 reporter Robert Elgas said Thursday that according to multiple sources, Jussie Smollett and the two men who are being questioned by Chicago police staged the attack allegedly because Smollett’s character was being written out of the show ‘Empire.’
‘Empire’ denies they were planning on writing Smollett out of the show.
The writers of Empire have never planned or even discussed writing @JussieSmollett off of the show.
— Empire Writers (@EmpireWriters) February 15, 2019
Later Thursday evening, CBS reporter Charlie De Mar said the attorney for the two persons of interest, who are now in police custody, said she spoke with detectives and charges are expected before 5:45 PM Friday — that is when the 48 hour hold expires.
UPDATE: Attorney for two men in custody says she spoke with CPD detectives and charges (at least against the two brothers In custody) are expected before 5:45pm Friday. That is when the 48-Hour hold expires. @cbschicago #JussieSmollett #Empire #Chicago
— Charlie De Mar (@CharlieDeMar) February 15, 2019
To be clear, charges have not been filed against the two persons of interest yet. They are both currently in police custody and questioning will continue Friday. They can only be detained for up to 48 hours as long as police officers have probable cause that a crime may have been committed.
#CPD says POI in #JussieSmollett case are still in police custody. Questioning will resume tomorrow, Friday. They have not been charged..yet.
You can be detained for up to 48 hours for investigation as long as officers have probable cause that a crime may have been committed.— raferweigel (@RaferWeigel) February 15, 2019
At the time of this publication, there are no reports that Jussie Smollett will be charged for filing a false police report…yet.
The Chief Comms Officer for the Chicago Police Department said Thursday evening that Smollett is still technically considered a ‘victim’ in the case.