(Newser)
– The two brothers who admitted to helping Jussie Smollet organize a false hate crime are no longer cooperating with prosecutors. That’s according to a letter from the brothers’ attorney, obtained by the Chicago Tribune, who reports that the development is due to a police raid on the home of Abimbola “Abel” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo in February 2019. In a letter to a Chicago Police Department attorney, Gloria Schmidt Rodríguez says that Efforts to seek the return of items seized during the raid, including a legally owned firearm and ammunition, have been a “paperwork nightmare.” “I hope this effort by your office and your clients has paid off because my clients advise me to receive their items or not, they will no longer cooperate with the prosecution of Mr. Smollett,” she adds.
The brothers were in Nigeria when police raided their home on February 14, 2019, according to CBS News. It was only after officers concluded that Smollett had paid the brothers $ 3,500 to mount a racist and homophobic attack. Abel and Ola gave sworn testimony before a grand jury that same month, but the charge was later dropped. Schmidt Rodriguez tells the Grandstand The brothers have not appeared before a grand jury related to Smollett’s new charges, which could be a complication. She adds that they feel personally disrespected. Abel Osundiaro tells CBS Chicago that he could understand the treatment “if we were charged in the case, we are not.” He adds that officers took items belonging to family members and even “my dog’s toy.” Police argue that the articles are preserved as evidence. (Read more Jussie Smollett stories.)
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