Jussie Smollet's Story

Jussie Smollet's tale of being a victim of a hate crime is unraveling.

Two brothers questioned by police say “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett paid them to participate in alleged attack, a source close to the investigation tells CBS News https://t.co/rAuDDSj4qW pic.twitter.com/6xS8os57SO

— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 17, 2019

Chicago police believe "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett hired men to stage attack: report https://t.co/KceRm77NN3 pic.twitter.com/l6x6PqEkwa

— The Hill (@thehill) February 17, 2019

Not surprisingly, Smollet denies playing a role in the now alleged staged attack.

Attorneys for Jussie Smollett sent over this statement within the hour. @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/1qfQ0AS6gG

— Charlie De Mar (@CharlieDeMar) February 17, 2019

IF Smollet did in fact lie about being attacked, he needs to be charged. He needs to be fired. He needs to be condemned by all, especially those public figures and media outlets that propped up his lies and used his story to viciously attack the president of the United States and supporters of President Trump.

IF Smollet was in fact attacked as he claims, well, I don't think it's worth it to go down that path.

Apparently, the break in the case was the rope.

From CBS News:

The two Nigerian brothers arrested in connection with the assault on "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett are no longer suspects in the attack. They're now cooperating with police.

A source close to the investigation confirms to CBS News the brothers told detectives Smollett paid them to participate in the alleged attack on January 29 and that they purchased the rope — which was found around Smollett's neck — at a nearby hardware store. The source said detectives have evidence to corroborate the sale, something the men's attorney alluded to Friday night.

...The Chicago Police Department released a statement Saturday night saying information from the brothers had "shifted the trajectory of the investigation."

"We can confirm that the information received from the individuals questioned by police earlier in the Empire case has in fact shifted the trajectory of the investigation. We've reached out to the Empire cast member's attorney to request a follow-up interview."

The trajectory of the investigation has shifted.

How shocking!

Smollet has been lying? What???

Until the Chicago Police Department concludes the investigation and shares the information with the public, we'll just have to wait to see how that shift plays out.