Vice President Kamala Harris once called infamous hate crime hoaxer Jussie Smollett a victim of an attempted “modern day lynching.” Now the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, Harris to this day has not deleted her 2019 social media post that repeats the false claim, even after the “Empire” actor’s criminal conviction in Illinois for the faked attack.
Smollett claimed two masked men “doused him with bleach, put a rope around his neck and said, ‘This is MAGA country!'” in the heart of Chicago during the 2019 polar vortex. California Sen. Harris posted on Twitter on Jan. 29, 2019, saying, “[Jussie Smollett] is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I know. I’m praying for his quick recovery.”
After police began investigating Smollett for filing a false report, Harris said she was “sad, frustrated and disappointed” by news that the actor made “false claims to police.” However, Eugene Roy, a retired Chicago Police Department chief of detectives with over 30 years of experience, criticized Harris for her rushed judgment before all the facts were known.
The court established the facts, presenting evidence that Smollett recruited two brothers to help him stage a fake hate crime. Phone records, ride-share records, video footage, text messages, and social media messages corroborated their testimony. Smollett was found guilty on five of six charges of disorderly conduct in 2021 and was sentenced to jail, felony probation, restitution, and a fine.
Smollett has appealed his conviction to the Illinois Supreme Court, arguing that his trial violated his Fifth Amendment protections against double jeopardy. Harris was not the only Democrat duped by Smollett’s story, as President Biden also issued a tweet condemning the purported hate crime.
Retired detective Eugene Roy emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation over quick sound bites in high-profile legal cases. He warned against hasty judgments that could cast a shadow over the justice system and urged voters to consider how candidates handle controversial issues.
In conclusion, the Jussie Smollett case serves as a reminder of the dangers of rushing to judgment based on incomplete information. It highlights the importance of allowing the legal process to unfold before forming opinions. Voters are encouraged to assess how political figures handle such situations when evaluating their candidacy.
