Police ‘shift’ focus in Smollett case

Chicago police said Saturday the investigation into the assault reported by Jussie Smol- lett has “shifted” due to information received from two brothers questioned in the case, and attorneys for the Empire actor blasted reports alleging he played a role in his own attack.

Chicago police had arrested the two Nigerian brothers and then released them without charges late Friday, saying they were no longer suspects in the attack. Police said they requested a followup interview with Smollett.

Smollett’s attorneys issued a statement later Saturday saying the actor would continue to cooperate with police, but felt “victimized” by reports that he might have been involved in the attack.

“Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying,” the statement from his attorneys Todd Pugh and Victor P. Henderson said.

Smollett, who is Black and gay, has said he was physically attacked by two masked men shouting racial and anti-gay slurs and “This is MAGA country!” He said they looped a rope around his neck before running away as he was out getting food at a Subway restaurant.

He said they also poured some kind of chemical on him.

On Wednesday, Chicago police picked up the brothers at O’Hare International Airport as they returned from Nigeria.

They described them as “suspects” in the assault, questioned them and searched their apartment.

One of the men is Smollett’s personal trainer whom Smollett hired to get him physically ready for a music video, the statement from Smollett’s attorneys said.

“It is impossible to believe that this person could have played a role in the crime against Jussie or would falsely claim Jussie’s complicity,” the statement said.