Judge Orders Independent<br />Investigation of Jussie Smollett Case Judge Michael Toomin has appointed a special<br />prosecutor to investigate charges against Smollett. The prosecutor will also investigate<br />Kim Foxx’s decision to drop felony<br />charges against Smollett. Foxx, the state attorney for Cook County,<br />abruptly dropped all 16 felony counts<br />against Smollett in March. Smollett had been accused of staging a<br />racist hate crime against himself in January. Judge Toomin has ruled that the decision<br />to drop the case raised “problematic concerns.” He also said Foxx did not follow<br />proper procedure and should not<br />have had authority over the case. Judge Toomin hopes the appointment of an<br />independent counsel will “restore the public<br />confidence" in Chicago's criminal justice system. This decision does not mean Smollett will<br />automatically face charges, but his case could<br />be reopened if “reasonable grounds exist.”
