The Chicago Police Department has released body cam footage from the morning after Jussie Smollett’s alleged attack, showing the actor still wearing a noose around his neck which he claimed was used in the assault.
The footage was filmed in the ex-Empire actor’s Chicago home back in January at 8:45am local time, some seven hours after he was allegedly subjected to a racist and homophoic attack in a nearby street.
The bodycam captured the officers entering the home and speaking to Frank Gatson, who introduces himself as the actor’s “creative director,” while Smollett can be seen wearing a thin white rope around his neck.
“Do you want to take it off or anything?,” the police officer asks, referring to the noose. Smollet replies: “Yeah I do, I just wanted you to see it.” The officers are asked to switch off their cameras shortly after.
The video is part of hundreds of files released by the Chicago PD after a judge ordered a special prosecutor to examine the handling of Smollett’s accusation. The actor could face a fresh criminal prosecution for his role in the saga, depending upon the outcome of the investigation.
Smollett claimed he was randomly attacked, punched, and doused in bleach by two masked men who he claimed made reference to President Donald Trump’s slogan ‘Make America Great Again.’