“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett’s alleged “racist and homophobic” attack didn’t seem quite right when TMZ broke the news in January, and the tide really began to turn when Smollett, the alleged victim of MAGA thugs who tied a noose around his neck, hired a lawyer and a crisis public relations firm to represent him, the victim.

Last Thursday, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Smollett with 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct alleging he gave false accounts of an attack on him to police investigators. Smollett was in court in Chicago Thursday, where he entered a not guilty plea.

'Empire' actor Smollett pleads not guilty to lying about Chicago attack https://t.co/XkS9tkn9dl pic.twitter.com/RFzmoW7FvA — Reuters Top News (@Reuters) March 14, 2019

Empire’ actor Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty to lying to police about alleged attack https://t.co/EGTGaevbNa — USA TODAY (@USATODAY) March 14, 2019

Kimberly Bellware reports for Reuters:

Each count carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Smollett and his lawyers declined to comment as they left the courthouse. Smollett was previously charged last month with felony disorderly conduct for making a false report after he told police he was attacked in January by masked supporters of President Donald Trump who beat him, slung a noose round his neck and poured a liquid chemical on him while shouting racist and homophobic slurs.

So he’s going ahead with the not guilty plea … that’s his right, we suppose. And why not tie up more criminal justice resources?

Good luck for the defense team! — Jonan (@Jonan2377) March 14, 2019

Great, wasted city dollars, police time and public emotions on his fake attack now wasting more tax dollars instead of manning up and taking responsibility. — Mr Neutron (@The_MrNeutron) March 14, 2019

Had a chance to do the right thing, fess up and take his lumps and move on. Instead I see he is going to double down and try to convince everyone this actually happened.#notverysmart — Scottie B (@B82Scottie) March 14, 2019

Doubling down? “It’s a bold move Cotton, let’s see if it pays off.” — Tiny Iota (@One_Tiny_Iota) March 14, 2019

We will see how good an actor he really is. — Julie K Veatch (@uniquejulz) March 14, 2019

when you have already lied to the world … what's one more? … go for it — Tim Bryant (@bryant865) March 14, 2019

Who does he think he's fooling? He is insane. — Super Elite Brent (@BHVT) March 14, 2019

Defense want cameras in the court house to make a spectacle out of the proceedings like the OJ trial and gain more publicity for their client. — Peace Advocate (@peaceadvocate16) March 14, 2019

Jussie's digging himself deeper down that hole of no return! ?? — Pelosi's Brain Freeze (@NameRedacted__) March 14, 2019

Actually, he's got a smart lawyer in Mark Geragos. He only needs one jurist to acquit. What do you bet he gets off scott-free. — Todd Headlee (@ToddHeadleeAZ) March 14, 2019

Yep.

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