Jussie Smollett Maintains Innocence Over Hate Crime Hoax Case in 1st Court Hearing Since Pandemic Celebrity The hearing, which is closed to the public, is held to determine whether one of the 'Empire' alum's attorneys, Nenye Uche, has a conflict of interest representing him in the case. Jul 15, 2021 AceShowbiz - Jussie Smollett has returned to court for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The former " Empire" star, who has been accused of orchestrating a hate crime against himself in January 2019, insisted that he was not guilty. At the five-hour hearing, which took place at the Cook County Courthouse on Wednesday, July 14, the 39-year-old actor maintained his innocence. He also described the ongoing trial against him as a "dog and pony show."