IL - Actor Jussie Smollett allegedly attacked in hate crime Jan 2019 #5 Smollett indicted”

[Mauig’ma]

Judge orders unsealing of documents in Jussie Smollett case

CHICAGO (FOX 32) - A Cook County judge ordered Thursday that all court documents regarding the Jussie Smollett case be unsealed to the media.

Attorneys for Smollett, who was accused of staging a racist, anti-gay attack on himself, moved to seal the "Empire" actor's court records in March after prosecutors unexpectedly dropped all charges against him.

Media attorneys requested Cook County Judge Steven Watkins unseal Smollett's case file, arguing that the Smollett saga is now so well known that there is no reason to conceal the records regarding his arrest.


Watkins said in his order Thursday that Smollett's lawyers had argued that since the case was dismissed, Smollett had "the right to be left alone."

Watkins wrote that Smollett "voluntarily appeared on national television for an interview speaking about the incident in detail" and that on "several occasions, attorneys for defendant, presumably with his authorization, appeared on various media outlets speaking about the case."

Attorneys for Smollett, however, argued that he is entitled -- like thousands of other defendants -- to have his arrest records sealed or even expunged.

Attorney Brian Watson argued that unsealing Smollett's files would create a "dangerous, dangerous precedent." He said that it is unfair for the media to make someone a celebrity, and then use that celebrity status to obtain records that are typically sealed.

Nice!

 

[TTF14]

Attorney Brian Watson argued that unsealing Smollett's files would create a "dangerous, dangerous precedent." He said that it is unfair for the media to make someone a celebrity, and then use that celebrity status to obtain records that are typically sealed.

Is it fair if celebrity status was what the "victim" wanted all along?

 

[Cool Cats]

Is it fair if celebrity status was what the "victim" wanted all along?

So true and the Judge didn't buy it!

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Now this should be interesting. Can’t wait to read them.

I wonder if Jussie is sweating blood yet.....

 

[lucylulu]

Interesting, can't wait to read...hopefully it's not heavily redacted.

 

[JDG]

Media is stating that Jussie Smollett wanted the records sealed so that he could 'move on' with his life after his faked attack.

I do hope that justice is served soon!!

 

[lucylulu]

Media is stating that Jussie Smollett wanted the records sealed so that he could 'move on' with his life after his faked attack.

I do hope that justice is served soon!!

me too.. uh, ok ...Jussie- cry me a river. He wants the records sealed because he doesn't want the truth out.... but we already know.. Imo

 

[Puzzles8]

Now this should be interesting. Can’t wait to read them.

I wonder if Jussie is sweating blood yet.....

Believe me, there are politicians that are sweating much more than JS right now..

 

[gitana1]

Media is stating that Jussie Smollett wanted the records sealed so that he could 'move on' with his life after his faked attack.

I do hope that justice is served soon!!

Justice isn't going to be served. Not legally.

 

[JDG]

me too.. uh, ok ...Jussie- cry me a river. He wants the records sealed because he doesn't want the truth out.... but we already know.. Imo

Yep, Jussie Smollett has a bit of a big head, eh?? What an egotistical guy.

 

[Simply Southern]

Justice isn't going to be served. Not legally.

@gitana1, I've never heard of a retired judge sending out subpoenas and requesting a trial. Is this normal and does she have the right to do this?

Several people are avoiding being served. Does this mean they don't have to show up?

This is all new to me....

 

[gitana1]

@gitana1, I've never heard of a retired judge sending out subpoenas and requesting a trial. Is this normal and does she have the right to do this?

Several people are avoiding being served. Does this mean they don't have to show up?

This is all new to me....

Wait. What's this?

 

[lucylulu]

Wait. What's this?

Retired judge blasts Kim Foxx in flurry of filings in Jussie Smollett special prosecutor request

 

[gitana1]

Retired judge blasts Kim Foxx in flurry of filings in Jussie Smollett special prosecutor request

Holy smokes! I knew nothing about this!!! VERY unusual. I don't know how a retired judge can do it. I will look into this more when I get a chance.

 

[Simply Southern]

Wait. What's this?

A retired judge who is calling for a special prosecutor to investigate the Jussie Smollett case in Chicago filed a number of court motions Tuesday, including one that seeks to bar the Cook County state’s attorney from using public lawyers in the legal fight.

https://pagesix.com/2019/05/22/retired-judge-calls-for-special-prosecutor-to-probe-smollett-case/


Tina Tchen, the former chief of staff to first lady Michelle Obama, declined Wednesday to be served with a subpoena by a retired Illinois judge seeking the appointment of a special prosecutor in the Jussie Smollett case, according to the process server.
The subpoena would have required Tchen to appear at a May 31 hearing on O'Brien's request for a special prosecutor and provide "any and all documents, notes, phone records, texts, tape recordings made or received at any time, concerning your conversations with [Cook County State's Attorney] Kim Foxx in re: Jussie Smollett."

Onetime Michelle Obama staffer evades subpoena in Smollett-Foxx case, process server says

 

[Simply Southern]

Holy smokes! I knew nothing about this!!! VERY unusual. I don't know how a retired judge can do it. I will look into this more when I get a chance.

Thank you !!!!! We value your expertise!!!

 

[lucylulu]

Holy smokes! I knew nothing about this!!! VERY unusual. I don't know how a retired judge can do it. I will look into this more when I get a chance.

I believe Former Judge O'Brien started making waves concerning Jussie's case about a month ago.

 

[mickey2942]

WTH? Now the files are going back to Foxx?!

Jussie Smollett Assault Case Unsealed; Ex-‘Empire’ Star Won’t Appeal – Deadline

 

[lucylulu]

WTH? Now the files are going back to Foxx?!

Jussie Smollett Assault Case Unsealed; Ex-‘Empire’ Star Won’t Appeal – Deadline

unbelievable, so does that mean Foxx won't release the files. She stated she wanted full transparency...but I believe she was trying to save face. Imo

 

[Laughing]

Holy smokes! I knew nothing about this!!! VERY unusual. I don't know how a retired judge can do it. I will look into this more when I get a chance.

I haven't looked for information -- but is this an honorably retired judge, who fills in to prevent a back-up when another judge is out of town/ill?

Years ago I lived in a state that created a 'Super Circuit.' On a rotation, judges from every circuit traveled to a city with a huge court backlog, in order to provide justice for citizens & clear the backlog. IIRC, some retired judges were involved.

JMHO YMMV