The jury has declared Jussie Smollett, the US actor, guilty of fabricating a racist and homophobic attack. He maintained his innocence during the trial despite the prosecution’s claims that he repeatedly lied. The incident dates back to January 2019, after which Smollett was charged with filing a false police report. The trial involved testimonies from the Nigerian brothers who stated Smollett orchestrated the attack and made payments to them. The special prosecutor emphasized the misuse of resources and the seriousness of falsifying a hate crime. The conviction could result in a prison sentence, though his lack of prior convictions might lead to a lighter punishment. Following the verdict, Smollett’s lawyer expressed the team’s disagreement with the jury’s decision and their confidence in overturning the case on appeal. The authorities believe Smollett’s motive behind the deception was to elevate his public image due to dissatisfaction with his salary on the show. Subsequently, he was removed from the production amidst the controversy.