Jussie Smollett’s attorneys have asked for a mistrial after the judge called their evidence irrelevant in front of the jury and allegedly ‘lunged’ at one of the lawyers.
This came in the midst of the defense’s cross-examination of Olabinjo Osundairo, who claims he was paid by the actor to stage the hate crime. As attorney Tamara Walker grilled him about his past remarks about gay men.
Osundairo, 30, had just acknowledged he used the word “fruity ass” to refer to a man he suspected was gay. However, Judge James Linn called the line of questioning “collateral” in front of the jury, meaning it didn’t have any relevance to the crime Smollett was on trial for. This prompted Walker to ask for a sidebar.
Jussie Smollett’s Lawyers Claim The Judge ‘Lunged’ At One Of Them – Asks For A Mistrial
While the attorneys for conferring with Linn, Walker claimed he “physically lunged” at her when she brought up the idea of having a mistrial. This “lunge” was not witnessed by anyone else and the Judge denies it ever happening.
Linn said he, “marched right back behind my bench.” Walker appeared close to tears as she argued with the judge and soon left the courtroom with her mother as the rest of the team continued to ask for a mistrial.
Attorney Heather Widell also accused the judge of visibly “snarling” in front of the jury any time he sustained an objection from the prosecution.
Walker then continued with her cross-examination of Osundairo.
The state has rested its cast after key testimony from the two brothers who said Smollett plotted a racist and anti-gay attack on himself. After a three-day presentation of evidence, special prosecutor Dan Webb told the judge Thursday that the prosecution was done.
What do you think? Do you really think the judge would lunge at an attorney or are they just trying to sneak away without something bad happening to their client? Let us know in the comments below.
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