Earlier this month, censored audio from the 911 call alerting authorities of Jussie Smollett’s alleged hate crime was released. After a caller notified police on his behalf, officers went to the “Empire” actor’s apartment in Chicago to learn more about what had happened. As the investigation unfolded, police claimed the actor orchestrated his own attack with the help of two men, Abel and Ola Osundairo.
On Monday (June 24), roughly five months after the incident took place on Jan. 29 of this year, Chicago police made the decision to release hundreds of files and nearly 70 hours of video footage from the investigation, including from body cams worn by the responding officers.
Police bodycam footage shows officers arriving at Smollett’s apartment, where they are greeted by the actor’s manager before entering the home. As reported, police blurred Smollett’s face in the video footage, which was obtained under a Freedom of Information Act request, because at the time of the investigation, he was considered a victim in the matter.
“He doesn’t want this to be a big deal, you understand what I’m saying,” Smollett’s manager can be heard telling officers in one of the released clips. “The thing that makes me emotional is they put this makeshift loop, what do you call that thing, a noose around his (expletive) neck. I’m sorry, you know. And that is what bothers me, the cut thing doesn’t bother me at all. If that makes any sense.”
Later on, the police officers ask if Smollett wants to remove the rope from around his neck, to which the actor complies. Shortly thereafter, Smollett’s managers asks if police can turn off their cameras.
As previously reported, after being charged with one count of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report, a grand jury indicted Smollett on 16 counts. All charges ended up being dropped against the actor in late February in exchange for community service and forfeiture of his $10,000 bond payment.
According to reports, a special prosecutor will be appointed to investigate the case, including determining if Smollett should be re-charged and if Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx mishandled the case prior to recusing herself.
Earlier this month, “Empire” co-creator Lee Daniels confirmed Smollett won’t be returning to the show for its sixth season.
Take a look at the clip below to see what was captured in one of the officer’s bodycams upon arriving at Jussie Smollett’s home earlier this year.