The Smollet mess.

[Ike Bana]

So...statements from the police commissioner and the Cook County States attorney's office this afternoon. THE CPD and Mayor Emanuel are furious and insisting that all the evidence would have convicted Smollett at trial.

In the statement from the assistant state's attorney it was also stated that this plea deal does not exonerate Smollett from having committed the felony for which he was charged. In fact the state's attorney stated that he believes Smollett committed the crime as charged. Only that this is a similar deal given to any offender of a non-violent felony charge who has no prior record, one of over 5800 such deals made by him since he joined the department.

It's sort of bullshit however. It's not like Jessie lifted a $300 iPod Touch. He is accused of running a fraudulent hoax that cost the CPD in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to investigate. And its exceedingly rare for the record of the accused in a plea deal to be sealed and expunged. Or to not take at least some responsibility. So Jussie got a way, way better than average deal when he agreed to relinquish his $10,000 cash bail.

The FBI investigation into the case continues. Particularly into a threatening letter sent to Smollett, which the state's attorneys office reported that Smollett sent to himself. This may not be over for Jussie.