Megan Crepeau
@crepeau
·
20m
"He told us not to bring our cellphones … so we don’t drop and lose them," Abimbola says. (This will probably be a major defense focus, because cabdrivers told police they saw the brothers use their phones on the night of the attack.) "
If Abimbola saw anything on the news about Smollett being attacked, he was supposed to send Smollett a condolence letter "to show that I wasn’t a part of it," he testifies.
Smollett gave Abimbola the $3500 check right at the end of the dry run. "He handed it to me and then that was it. Jurors once again viewing the check, which has "5 week nutrition/workout program" in the memo line
Abimbola had never indicated to Smollett that he expected to be paid for anything -- not for the meal/training plan, nor for the fake attack, he testifies.
Smollett was also supposed to give the brothers $500 upon their return from Nigeria, Abimbola said. "I thought the money was for a meal plan and the exercise program and also for the fake attack," he said."
"The brothers deposited the check Jan. 28, then bought supplies including a red hat and ski masks with the $100 bill Smollett had given them, Abimbola says. He later went to buy rope from the Crafty Beaver."
"Scratch that, they deposited the $3500 check *after* they bought the supplies. My apologies. "