Jussie Smollett Enters Not-Guilty Plea In New Charges, Accused Of Filing 4 False Police Reports

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett Enters Not-Guilty Plea In New Charges, Accused Of Filing 4 False Police Reports

Jussie Smollett is maintaining his innocence. The former “Empire” star has pleaded not guilty to the fresh charges against him.

It’s been more than a year since Jussie Smollett alleged that he was a victim of a hate crime, only to later be accused of staging the entire thing himself.  He was later hit with 16 felony counts for filing a false police report (those were later dropped). He was then sued for more than $100,000 by the City of Chicago for the cost of the intense investigation into his claims.

Now, he’s facing six new charges and has pleaded not guilty to all of them. The new charges claim he filed four different false police reports to Chicago police after the incident.

Meanwhile, his lawyers requested for a postponement in the case so they could file a motion to dismiss. They argued, in part, that the new charges infringe on the actor’s double-jeopardy rights. Still, those rights might not be a factor since Jussie Smollett never went to trial or pleaded guilty to the other charges.

Judge James Linn denied the motion to delay the trial and released Jussie Smollett, but he was ordered to appear at all of his court dates. His next hearing is March 18.

The head of his legal team, Tina Glandian, said he was “obviously frustrated” to have to go back to court again.

What are your thoughts on Jussie Smollett’s plea? Tell us in the comments.