Jussie Smollett was caught on surveillance video doing a “dry run” the day before his alleged hate crime hoax took place, say prosecutors.
In the beginning of his trial, prosecutors say the video proves the actor faked the Jan. 29, 2019, alleged attack with Nigerian brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo.
They also say that a text Jussie allegedly sent to the brothers after the attack proves that it was all a set up.
JUSSIE SMOLLETT ON INSTAGRAM LIVE
“Brother…..I love you,” Smollett wrote to Abimbola Osundairo on Feb. 14, 2019. “I stand with you. I know 10000% you and your brother did nothing wrong and never would. I am making this statement so everyone else knows. They will not get away with this. Please hit me when they let you go. I am behind you fully.”
The brothers are testifying against the Empire actor in the trial. Jussie has always denied that he faked the attack.
Prosecutors say he paid the siblings $3,500 to help in the alleged hoax. The actor faces three years in prison if convicted of staging the attack as a publicity stunt.