Chicago prosecutor recuses herself from Jussie Smollett case
Source: Associated Press
Chicago prosecutor recuses herself from Jussie Smollett case
By DON BABWIN
February 20, 2019
CHICAGO (AP) Chicagos top prosecutor recused herself from the investigation into the attack reported by Empire actor Jussie Smollett shortly after police requested another interview with the actor.
The office of Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx offered few specifics Tuesday when announcing that Foxx was recusing herself from the case, which police said had shifted after detectives released two brothers who were initially deemed suspects.
Out of an abundance of caution, the decision to recuse herself was made to address potential questions of impartiality based upon familiarity with potential witnesses in the case, said Foxx spokeswoman Tandra Simonton, who wouldnt specify how Foxx was familiar with anyone in the case. Simonton said Foxx would have no further comment.
Smollett has said two masked men hurled racial and homophobic slurs at him before beating him up early on Jan. 29. The actor, who is black and gay, said the men then looped a rope around his neck.
Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said last week that media reports about the attack being a hoax were unconfirmed by case detectives.
-snip-
Read more:
https://www.apnews.com/db3fb999d1a348329999989bae0fdafa