Considering the attention it got from some high-profile people — Sen. Cory Booker and the current vice president both called it a “modern-day lynching” — there really ought to be more media coverage of the Jussie Smollett trial. Smollett is on defense, and as we’ve reported, it hasn’t been going well for him. The brothers he allegedly paid to beat him up and yell, “This is MAGA country” have testified that that’s exactly what happened, but now the defense attorney, Tamara Walker, is going through texts by the Osundairo brothers trying to prove they’re homophobic — one used the slurs “fruit” and “gaylord.”
Things got ugly when Judge James Linn accused Walker of getting into something “collateral.”
Judge Linn tries to hustle things along, saying Walker is getting into something "collateral"
She asks for a sidebar, the jury is sent out of the room, and she asks for a mistrial — in part because of the "collateral" comment
— Megan Crepeau (@crepeau) December 2, 2021
Fireworks in Smollett courtroom.
Smollett attorney mentions a mistrial to judge in sidebar— judge outraged.
Smollett attorney alleging judge Linn was being dismissive of some defense questions to an Osundairo brother, also alleging judge making snarling faces at defense team.— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 2, 2021
Not just snarling faces …
Walker is also saying that Linn lunged at her during a sidebar: "You did physically lunge at me."
Linn seems furious and is denying it outright.
— Megan Crepeau (@crepeau) December 2, 2021
Right now court is paused. Smollett attorney asked to compose herself. She claims judge lunged at her. Judge says he stood up.
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 2, 2021
Defense attorney Tamara Walker said the judge “physically lunged” at her when she suggested in a sidebar that she planned to move for a mistrial. https://t.co/HQV1cROxk0
— Anthony DeRosa (@Anthony) December 2, 2021
The same attorney, Tamara Walker, then claimed the judge physically lunged at her during a sidebar. The judge denied that along with denying the request for mistrial. But it didn't end there…
— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) December 2, 2021
chaos
— Megan Crepeau (@crepeau) December 2, 2021
Lots of cross-talk and people interrupting each other and high emotions. But essentially: Linn is denying the motion for a mistrial, is denying he lunged at anyone.
— Megan Crepeau (@crepeau) December 2, 2021
Defense attorney also says on the record that Linn is pulling nasty faces on the bench "anytime objections from the opposing counsel are sustained."
"I noticed snarls multiple times," she says.
— Megan Crepeau (@crepeau) December 2, 2021
Linn is denying he made faces, denying he lunged at anyone, and definitely denying the motion for a mistrial. He was about to bring the jury back into the room but instead they're taking a bit of a recess.
— Megan Crepeau (@crepeau) December 2, 2021
It sounds like the defense has a solid case.
A wise man once said, "When the facts are on your side, pound the facts. When the law is on your side, pound the law. When neither is on your side, pound the table."
— Enough is Enough (@SilverLining365) December 2, 2021
So his lawyer is as unhinged as he is? Got it
— IronRiderTim (@IronRiderTim1) December 2, 2021
I can see the CNN Headlines now: Judge attacks Smollett's lawyer with a noose and bleach, yells MAGA COUNTRY B***
— IronRiderTim (@IronRiderTim1) December 2, 2021
These people are insane desperate actors who care nothing about the law
— Mr. Jones (@Mr_Jones2015) December 2, 2021
I’ve known that judge for years. There’s NO WAY that occurred.
— Dee Kenny (@dkennycpd) December 2, 2021
Sounds like they're getting desperate or starting to get really worried.
— 🎄 Deb K 🎄 (@deb_h7) December 2, 2021
What a bunch of crap. Smollett is guilty guilty guilty
— KC (@KC21118113) December 2, 2021
So far it seems Smollett’s story is that the Osundairo brothers were sophisticated criminals and also homophobes — so at least the white, MAGA-hat-wearing Trump supporters story is off the table.
Related:
Jussie Smollett’s hate crime hoax had an intended audience, according to Osundairo brother testimony https://t.co/ZH8JnTKm0v
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) December 2, 2021
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