Authorities with the Chicago Police Department released body cam footage from January 29, 2019, the day of former Empire actor Jussie Smollett’s reported attack. Smollett set off a chain of events that have launched an internal probe and a six-month investigation when he stated he was jumped by two white men who covered their faces, wore MAGA hats, beat him, put a noose/rope around his neck, poured a liquid substance over his body (believed to be bleach), then shouted homophobic and racist slurs towards him.

As the investigation continued two suspects were soon located, but they quickly turned their testimonies on behalf of the state and accused Jussie Smollett of staging, rehearsing, and paying the Osundario brothers to attack him. The motive was believed to be demand for a bigger paycheck and to secure his role on the series due to the increased media attention. Jussie Smollett was arrested and charged on multiple accounts until suddenly, all charges were dropped. Now a new internal investigation seeks to find out why. As more information is gathered, the Chicago Police Department is making some of their evidence publicly available.

In the video player below, you can see as officers enter Jussie Smollett’s residence. Though his face is blurred, you can see the rope still hanging from his neck.

Jussie Smollett spoke to the police officers and explained he had called them due to the attack and pointed out the rope on his neck. In the video, one of the police officers moves in towards Jussie and gives the rope a tug.

Another officer asks if he wants to take the rope off and Jussie replies, “Yeah, I do. I just wanted you to see it.”

The video footage is going viral as more people debate whether or not Jussie was telling the truth about the night of his attack. You may see the video including the rope in the player below.

Body camera video of CPD officers entering Jussie Smollett’s apartment the night attack was reported.

He still has rope around his neck. @cbschicago

— Charlie De Mar (@CharlieDeMar) June 24, 2019

As Jussie’s case continues to wage on, there is a chance he may face additional charges. A special prosecutor has been assigned to investigate the decision to drop charges against Jussie.

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What do you think about the video? Do you think it adds credence to his story of being attacked?