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17-year-old passenger seriously wounded in Chicago Lawn shootingSun-Times Wireon December 5, 2021 at 2:11 pm

A teen was shot and seriously wounded Dec. 4 on the South Side. | Sun-Times file photo

About 9:20 p.m., the teen was a passenger in a car traveling in the 3400 block of West 61st Place when he was shot after the vehicle passed by two males who were shouting at him, police said.

A 17-year-old passenger was shot and seriously wounded Saturday night in Chicago Lawn on the South Side.

About 9:20 p.m., the teen was a passenger in a car traveling in the 3400 block of West 61st Place when the vehicle he was in passed by two males who were shouting at him, police said. The driver of the car heard gunfire, and the teen was shot in the back of his head, police said.

He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was in serious condition police said.

No one was in custody.

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17-year-old passenger seriously wounded in Chicago Lawn shootingSun-Times Wireon December 5, 2021 at 2:11 pm Read More »

Release Radar 11/26/21 – The Lemonheads vs Dionne Warwickon December 5, 2021 at 2:38 pm

Cut Out Kid

Release Radar 11/26/21 – The Lemonheads vs Dionne Warwick

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Release Radar 11/26/21 – The Lemonheads vs Dionne Warwickon December 5, 2021 at 2:38 pm Read More »

Will Jussie Smollett take the stand? Critical question remains as actor’s trial resumes MondayMatthew Hendricksonon December 5, 2021 at 1:00 pm

With his mother, Janet Smollett, on his right arm and sister, Jurnee Smollett, on his left arm, former “Empire” star Jussie Smollett walks behind bodyguards into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse Thursday morning. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Experts say that Smollett has to tell his story to sway a jury.

The trial of actor Jussie Smollett is set to resume Monday, and there would seem to be plenty of dramatic turns left in a saga that has spent almost three years in the headlines.

Smollett’s lawyers have yet to say whether the actor will take the stand, but veteran attorneys say it’s almost certain the “Empire” star will have to tell his story himself to win over the jury.

The defense is expected to call several more witnesses to try to poke holes in Special Prosecutor Dan Webb’s theory that Smollett hired brothers Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo and staged the attack himself.

Smollett’s attorneys have repeatedly raised questions about whether police sufficiently pursued leads about a woman who reported seeing a suspicious white man with a rope in the hours before the attack, as well as a security guard in the River North area who claimed he saw a white man in a ski mask run past him around the time of the alleged attack.

The defense team has also questioned police officers on the stand about a taxi driver who allegedly saw one of the Osundairo brothers using a cellphone in his cab that night, contradicting both brothers’ claims they left their phones at home at Smollett’s request.

On Thursday, Judge James Linn told jurors that he expected to send them the case for deliberation on Monday or Tuesday at the latest after giving them a long weekend with Friday off.

The defense team began calling witnesses Thursday after Webb rested the state’s case, closing out with testimony by each of the Osundairos that took up two days of the trial.

The brothers said Smollett paid them to fake a hate crime in which they would rough him up, shouting gay and racial slurs while wearing “Make America Great Again” hats, then loop a noose over his head and douse him with bleach.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Olabinjo Osundairo (center left, in blue), Abimbola Osundairo (center right, in black) pray with their attorney and a supporter as they walk into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse for the Jussie Smollett trial on Thursday.

Smollett’s motive, they said, was dissatisfaction with the way the television studio behind his then-hit show “Empire” had handled his security after he received a piece of hate mail — which prosecutors have also said the actor fabricated. Smollett, they said, staged the attack near a police surveillance camera in order to get video of the assault that he could post to social media.

Late Thursday, Smollett’s former music manager testified that he was on the phone with the actor when “he got jumped.” Brandon Moore said he was talking about midnight from Los Angles about details for an upcoming concert Smollett was going to perform at when he heard someone use an anti-gay slur.

Moore said he heard Smollett respond to the person, and then heard scuffling until the actor apparently dropped his phone. When Smollett got back on the line, he told Moore he had been jumped and “sounded panicked… and out of breath.” Moore told him to get back to his home.

Dr. Robert Turelli, who treated Smollett at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s emergency room, said Smollett had cuts on his face, redness around his neck and complained of pain to his ribs.

Smollett was given Tylenol for the pain, according to Turelli, who said Smollett’s medical records indicated he had declined other medications. A CT scan and X-rays were also ordered, which ruled out additional injuries. Under cross examination, Turelli said he had no way of knowing how Smollett was injured.

Thursday’s final defense witness was Smollett’s L.A.-based publicist, Pamela Sharp, who described the actor as a “a very nice person” who “always paid his bills on time.”

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Former “Empire” star Jussie Smollett raises his fist as he walks into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Thursday morning.

Smollett’s career was reaching new heights at the time of the attack, Sharp said. He was directing episodes of “Empire” and earning $2 million per season at that point. He was also preparing for a “historic” storyline on the show where his character would be married in the first nationally televised wedding of a gay Black man.

Sharp said she believed Smollett was innocent — a comment the judge immediately told the jury to disregard — and said she doubted he would have participated in an attack that might damage his face, which she called the “key to every actor’s career.”

April Preyar, a Chicago defense attorney who has watched most of the trial as one of the few spectators in courtroom gallery, said that she came to the trial assuming Smollett’s case would be a slam dunk for the prosecution.

After four days of the trial, Preyar believes the defense has put some dents in the state’s case — but to get an acquittal, Smollett has to take the stand with a plausible story and a personality that wins over jurors.

“He has to take the stand. He is the only one that can tell the story, the only one who was there besides the brothers,” Preyar said.

Attorney Kulmeet “Bob” Galhotra, who has followed the case closely online and in the press, said he still thinks jurors are likely to convict, simply because Smollett’s version of the case– that the Osundairos were secretly homophobic and tried to exploit the openly gay Smollett to boost their acting careers — is more convoluted than the notion that Smollett just planned the attack and hired them.

“But [Smollett] has to hit the stand to tell it,” said Galhotra, who added the actor will need all his acting chops to keep his cool under cross-examination.

“He’s gotta perform, but it’s still going to be problematic for the defense.”

On the witness stand, Preyar said she can only assume Smollett will come across well.

“I think he testifies,” she said. “And [the trial] is going to come down to, who does the jury like better: Ola and Abel, or Jussie?”

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Will Jussie Smollett take the stand? Critical question remains as actor’s trial resumes MondayMatthew Hendricksonon December 5, 2021 at 1:00 pm Read More »

2 shot, 1 fatally, while sitting in car on Near West SideSun-Times Wireon December 5, 2021 at 1:06 pm

A man was killed and a woman wounded in a shooting Dec. 5 on the Near West Side. | Sun-Times file photo

About 3:20 a.m., a woman and man, 41 and 56, were sitting in a car in the 300 block of South Hoyne Avenue when they were struck by gunfire, police said.

Two people were shot, one fatally, while sitting in a car Sunday morning on the Near West Side.

About 3:20 a.m., a woman and man, 41 and 56, were sitting in a car in the 300 block of South Hoyne Avenue when they were struck by gunfire, Chicago police said.

Both were struck in the body and were taken to Stroger Hospital, where the man was pronounced dead, police said. His name hasn’t been released yet. The woman was in good condition, according to officials.

No one was in custody.

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2 shot, 1 fatally, while sitting in car on Near West SideSun-Times Wireon December 5, 2021 at 1:06 pm Read More »

1 killed, 1 critically wounded in Jefferson Park shootingSun-Times Wireon December 5, 2021 at 1:38 pm

A woman was killed and a man critically wounded Dec. 5 on the Northwest Side. | Sun-Times file photo

A woman and man, 20 and 23, were walking in an alley about 4:30 a.m. in the 4800 block of North Central Avenue when they were struck in their bodies by gunfire, police said.

One person was killed and another was critically wounded while walking in an alley Sunday morning in Jefferson Park on the Northwest Side.

A woman and man, 20 and 23, were walking in an alley about 4:30 a.m. in the 4800 block of North Central Avenue when they were struck in their bodies by gunfire, Chicago police said.

The woman was taken to Community First Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, police said. Her name hasn’t been released yet.

The man self-transported to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was in critical condition, police said.

No one was in custody.

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1 killed, 1 critically wounded in Jefferson Park shootingSun-Times Wireon December 5, 2021 at 1:38 pm Read More »

CTA bus driver beaten in LoopSun-Times Wireon December 5, 2021 at 6:40 am

A CTA bus driver was beaten while checking the bus after hearing a loud noise Dec. 4 in the Loop. | Sun-Times file photo

About 9 p.m., the driver, a 49-year-old man, was inspecting the bus after hearing a loud noise in the 100 block of North Michigan Avenue when he was pushed and repeatedly punched by an unknown male and female, police said.

A CTA bus driver was hospitalized after two people beat him Saturday night in the Loop.

About 9 p.m., the driver, a 49-year-old man, was inspecting the bus after hearing a loud noise in the 100 block of North Michigan Avenue when he was pushed and repeatedly punched by an unknown male and female, Chicago police said.

He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital with bruises to his face and body, police said. He was listed in fair condition, police said.

No one was in custody.

A CTA train operator was hospitalized Dec. 1 after two teenagers beat him and then ran away onto the Dan Ryan Expressway.

The employee, 62, got into an argument with two female teens while the train was stalled near the Garfield station, 220 W. Garfield Ave., police and fire officials said.

The teens beat the employee and ran onto the expressway around 8:30 a.m., police said.

The employee was taken to Saint Bernard Hospital in good condition.

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CTA bus driver beaten in LoopSun-Times Wireon December 5, 2021 at 6:40 am Read More »

Horoscope for Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021Georgia Nicolson December 5, 2021 at 6:01 am

Moon Alert

After 5:40 a.m. Chicago time, there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. After that, the moon moves from Sagittarius into Capricorn.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

A powerful day! You make a great impression on bosses, parents, teachers, VIPs and the police. They will admire you, and they will notice you. Whatever you do will be obvious to others who might even discuss details about your personal life.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

You want to make a break for freedom today! You want adventure, and stimulation, and a chance to do something different. You want to learn something new and exciting, and you want to meet interesting people. Is this too much to ask? Surely not.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

You will be very direct about how you want things to be with respect to financial arrangements or dividing something or dealing with shared property. You will establish boundaries, and you will make sure everyone is on the same page. That’s because you’re ready to tell it like it is.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

You can expect conversations with others to be dynamic and alive. In part, this might be because you will attract someone to you who is energetic. Nevertheless, you also are in the mood to dive into any topic and discuss it with enthusiasm.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

You are keen to start something new, perhaps a project or something related to your job, possibly even a new health regime? You have something in mind and you intend to pursue it with enthusiasm! Eastern philosophy believes that how a thing begins affects how it unfolds. (Get your ducks in a row.)

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

You might receive a surprise invitation today? Something will happen that you did not expect. (A saucy flirtation?) Meanwhile, parents should be mindful of their kids because this is a mildly accident-prone day for them. Expect some surprises in sports events. Be alert.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

You might entertain at home. You might also be excited about redecorating ideas or doing something to make where you live more attractive or comfy. This is important because more than any other sign, you are strongly affected by your immediate environment.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

You’re full of eager energy, which is why you will enjoy seeing new places, meeting new faces and sharing new ideas. You might also tackle an ambitious To Do list and get things done! Expect to spend time with siblings, neighbors and relatives.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

You might have some excellent money-making ideas. (Sagittarius love get-rich-quick schemes.) You might be enthusiastic about financial transactions or shopping for bargains and beautiful things. (Veni, vidi Visa. We came, we saw, we went shopping.)

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

This is a restless but upbeat day for you. Your emotions are heightened because you are excited about something that you want to pursue. Fortunately, with the moon is in your sign, things will tend to go your way. Ask the universe for a favor!

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Enjoy warm friendships. You might also enjoy a low-key time with someone because you will welcome a chance to have some down time to catch your breath. This has been a busy week in part because your ambition is aroused. “You deserve a break today.”

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Any involvement with a friend or a group, club or organization will be a fun choice for you because people are enthusiastic and very keen about whatever they’re doing. And as you know, enthusiasm is contagious. Get ready to jump on someone’s bandwagon!

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actress Jessica Pare (1980) shares your birthday. You are clever, witty, upbeat and optimistic. Loyalty is something you value. You are strongly committed and enthusiastic to what you endorse. You value your independence. This year has been a time of building important structures for you. The structures might be literally physical, or they could be structures that give shape to your approach to what you do.

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Horoscope for Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021Georgia Nicolson December 5, 2021 at 6:01 am Read More »

Chicago Week in Beer, December 6-9on December 5, 2021 at 6:32 am

The Beeronaut

Chicago Week in Beer, December 6-9

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Chicago Week in Beer, December 6-9on December 5, 2021 at 6:32 am Read More »

Michigan steamrolls Iowa 42-3 in Big Ten title game, all but wraps up berth in playoffMICHAEL MAROT | Associated Presson December 5, 2021 at 5:25 am

Michigan running back Hassan Haskins ran for two touchdowns in the second half and broke the school record for touchdowns in a single season with 20. | Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Hassan Haskins ran for two touchdowns in the second half for the No. 2 Wolverines and broke a school record in the process.

INDIANAPOLIS — Hassan Haskins ran for two second-half touchdowns and broke a school record while running back Donavan Edwards threw a 75-yard TD pass to help No. 2 Michigan capture its first Big Ten title in 17 years and a probable playoff berth with a 42-3 rout Saturday over No. 15 Iowa.

Resurgent Michigan (12-1, No. 2 CFP) has won five straight and if it reaches the playoff, as expected, would need one more win to return to Indianapolis to play for its first national championship since 1997.

“Nobody else believed in us,” star end Aidan Hutchinson said before learning he’d been selected as the first defensive MVP. “We all knew, we all knew we were going to put these T-shirts on.”

It’s been an improbable run since coach Jim Harbaugh took a pay cut following a dismal 2020. The Wolverines started this season unranked and picked to finish in the middle of the Big Ten East, whose champion has won the last nine conference crowns. And it came on an emotional night when Michigan paid tribute to the victims from Tuesday’s school shooting, which resulted in the deaths of four students at Oxford (Michigan) High School.

They handed the Hawkeyes (10-3, No. 13) their second straight title game loss and prevented coach Kirk Ferentz from capturing his first conference crown since 2004. Iowa lost to Michigan State in the 2015 title game and this one came on a night both quarterbacks, Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla, struggled against the Wolverines.

“We knew we would have to play our best and have things go our way,” Ferentz said. “Obviously, that didn’t materialize.”

Blake Corum made two cuts to the right and sprinted 67 yards to make it 7-0. On Michigan’s next offensive play, Cade McNamara lateraled to Edwards and the freshman threw a perfect 75-yard TD pass to a wide open Roman Wilson for a 75-yard score and a 14-0 lead.

Iowa finally answered with a 22-yard field goal but the Hawkeyes just couldn’t stay on the field.

Hawkins broke open the game with a 4-yard TD run midway through the third quarter then sealed the victory by becoming the first Michigan running back to score 20 TDs in a single season on a 1-yard run early in the fourth. Ron Johnson set the previous mark, 19, in 1968.

THE TAKEAWAY

Michigan: After ending a losing streak to rival Ohio State and a 17-year title drought over the past eight days, the Wolverines are waiting to see to see where the CFP selection committee puts it in the four-team playoff bracke.t

Iowa: It was a bitter end for a team that reached No. 2 in October. Yes, Iowa won four straight and got the help it needed from Minnesota to make it to Indy. But the offense struggled mightily and the defense finally wore down.

IN MEMORIAM

Michigan honored the Oxford victims with a patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys.

The patch featured the initials of Tate Myre, a football player and wrestler, and his jersey No. 42 along with four hearts — one for each of the students who died in the shooting — inside the school’s block ‘O’. Myre’s family also joined Michigan’s captains for the pregame toss and wore T-shirts that read Oxford Strong.

The high school is about one hour north of Michigan’s campus.

STAT PACK

Michigan: Corum’s 67-yard run matched the longest of his career and Edwards’ TD pass came on the first throw of his career. … The Wolverines improved to 3-0 all-time in Indy after beating DePauw in 1892 and Wabash in 1907. … Hutchinson added another sack to his single-season school record, giving him 14.

Iowa: Ended the first half with its second interception of the game and No. 24 this season, breaking a school record set in 1986 and matched in 1987 and 2008. … The Hawkeyes beat three ranked teams this season but a streak of six straight wins over Top 25 foes ended. It was the second-longest active streak in the FBS (Alabama, 11).

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Michigan steamrolls Iowa 42-3 in Big Ten title game, all but wraps up berth in playoffMICHAEL MAROT | Associated Presson December 5, 2021 at 5:25 am Read More »

3 things we learned: Bison stampede past Southern Illinois in FCS playoffson December 5, 2021 at 5:02 am

Prairie State Pigskin

3 things we learned: Bison stampede past Southern Illinois in FCS playoffs

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3 things we learned: Bison stampede past Southern Illinois in FCS playoffson December 5, 2021 at 5:02 am Read More »