Smollett concludes testimony, closing arguments set for Wednesday in trial about alleged attack

Actor Jussie Smollett returned Tuesday to the witness stand to testify in the case alleging he lied to Chicago police about being the victim of a hate crime.

In the second day of cross examination, prosecutors focused on the alleged crime in Chicago in January 2019 and how Smollett's version of events compared with that of previous testimony including that from Bola and Ola Osundairo, whom Smollett allegedly hired to carry out the hoax, according to CNN.

Closing arguments are Wednesday.

Special prosecutor Dan Webb said the point of the questioning would be to differentiate between what Smollett admits happened and what he denies, including the Osundairo brothers testifying about Smollett first recruited them for a staged attack.

"I fully deny that," said Smollett, who was an actor in the TV show "Empire" when the incident occurred. "That never happened." 

Smollett, who is black and gay, denied he ever told the brothers to buy a red hat to look like supporters for then-President Trump or any items in particular, following claim he was attacked by MAGA supporters. He also said that he never told the brothers to rehearse the alleged fake attack.

Two days later, on Jan. 27, 2019, was when Smollett allegedly picked up the Osundairo brothers for a "dry run" of the purported scheme, CNN also reports. 

As the timeline moved to the next day, Webb and Smollett had several intense exchanges including when Webb read one of Smollett's Instagram messages to Bola Osundairo from Jan. 28, 2019.

Webb began to read one of the messages out loud that included the word "n***a," as Smollett winced and shook his head.

Then Webb moved to another of Smollett’s messages, starting with "n***a" again, but this time Smollett cut him off, seemingly frustrated. 

"Can you just say ‘the n-word’ or spell the word?” Smollett began. “Out of respect for every African American here," also according to CNN. 

Webb adhered, and focused on the multiple flight status updates Smollett gave through Instagram messages as he was delayed in returning back to Chicago from New York.