Jussie Smollett's Subway Tuna Sandwich Was The Key To His Conviction

Jussie Smollett was found guilty of lying to police about being the victim of a hate crime, turns out the key to his conviction was a tuna sandwich from Subway.

The 'Empire' star's fate was decided by a jury, following a lengthy Chicago police investigation that started with an original interview of the actor on the night of the so-called hate crime. At the time, Jussie claimed he was out buying a Subway sandwich when he was attacked by two men who put a noose around his neck and poured bleach on him.

According to the former Chicago Police Superintendent, Eddie Johnson, Jussie claimed to have purchased a tuna sandwich at 2 a.m. -- which he could understand -- but, added, "He comes back and gets attacked in a hate crime, supposed hate crime, and during all this scuffle – they poured bleach on him and all of this – when he got up and went into his apartment building he still had that Subway sandwich with him. That doesn’t happen."

As we reported, the initial interview with the actor was caught on police officer body camera and included a description of the alleged hate crime and the aftermath of the so-called beating. Johnson pointed out that in most cases victims abandon anything they are holding during an attack "because they are afraid."

"This guy had the sandwich in his hand, never been touched. So that was a real tip and a clue to us that something was amiss."

The ex-superintendent sat down with New Nation Now's 'Morning In America' explaining the entire incident was suspicious considering Smollett was so "nonchalant" about removing a noose from his neck -- that so-called attackers had placed in there following the attack. Video of the interview gave him pause while investigating the allegations.

"I don’t think there are many Black people in America that would have a noose around their neck, and wouldn’t immediately take it off," Johnson said.

In the end, Smollett claimed he was attacked by two men because he was Black and gay. Turns out, the two suspects claimed Jussie actually paid them to stage the attack and lie about the details. A jury found the actor guilty of five felonies including, "telling a police officer he was a hate crime victim, telling an officer he was a battery victim, telling a detective he was a hate crime victim, telling a detective he was a battery victim and then telling a detective again he was battery victim."

Shockingly, during the trial, prosecutors claimed Smollett even staged a rehearsal for the attack, with the two brothers he hired for the hoax.

At this point, a sentencing hearing will be held to determine what the punishment for the guilty convictions will be...but many believe he will not do any jail time. Part of the reason, Jussie doesn't have a criminal record, and these were non-violent crimes.

Stay Tuned...