Tyler Perryis speaking out asJussie Smollettfaces a felony charge of disorderly conduct forallegedly filing a false reportclaimingtwo men attacked himin an apparent hate crime last month.
During an interview with theTodayshow on Wednesday, the filmmaker said he has spoken to Smollett, 36, and that theEmpireactor insists that the allegations aren’t true.
“Listen, he is so adamant about it and he is so convincing in his story that I’m hoping and standing with him, hoping that it all turns out in his favor, for sure,” said Perry, 49.
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“I’ve been fighting for justice for Terrance Williams and Felipe Santos … so I wish that that case could have gotten half the attention that the Jussie Smollett thing [got],” he said. “But listen, everybody that knows him — he’s adamant that he’s telling the truth. Everybody that knows him that I know, they all say he’s not the type of person that would ever do that. So it’s pretty confusing, so right now it’s a wait and see.”
Last week, Chicago police held apress conferencein which they alleged Smollettpaid $3,500 to stage a “bogus” attackagainst him to draw attention to himself because he was dissatisfied with his salary. (A source has denied to PEOPLE that Smollett had any sort of issue with his pay, saying, “There’s never been a dissatisfaction with his salary.”)
Smollett, who is black and gay, wasarrestedlast week after turning himself in to police, one day after he wascharged. He presented in bond court on Feb. 21, where a judge set his bond at $100,000; hewas releasedafter posting $10,000 bond. He has also been asked to surrender his passport. His next hearing is scheduled for March 14.
He’s facing a felony charge of disorderly conduct. If convicted, he could serve up to three years in prison.
Appearing onGood Morning Americathis week, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said there is “a lot more evidencethat hasn’t been presented yet that does not support his innocence,” citing “physical [evidence], video and testimony.”
Smollett’sEmpirecharacter Jamal Lyon has since beenremoved from the final two episodesof season 5 to “avoid further disruption on set,” the Fox show’s executive producers said in a statement.
source: people.com
