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Judge orders probe into why Jussie Smollett's case was dropped; Smollett could be retried

Posted at 1:13 PM, Jun 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-21 16:13:13-04

A Cook County, Illinois, judge has requested a special prosecutor look into why charges were dropped against actor Jussie Smollett after the actor was accused of lying about being a victim of a hate crime, the Chicago Tribune reported .

Judge Michael Toomin claimed that the investigation into Smollett's case might have been fraught from the beginning.

The appointment of a special prosecutor could mean that Smollet could be recharged.

Smollett is also facing a lawsuit from the Chicago Police for the cost of the investigation. The charges against Smollett were dropped despite objections from the police.

In January, Smollett claimed he was attacked by two men who he said targeted him for being gay and African American. On March 8, Smollett was indicted on 16 charges of felony disorderly conduct.

On March 26, the state attorney's office suddenly dropped the charges.