Authorities said the two Nigerian men, who Chicago police had in custody last week, offered up evidence that shifted the trajectory of the case. One piece of evidence was a $3,500 check Smollett used to pay the brothers, police said. Officials said they believe that the brothers wore gloves during the staged attack, but that scratches and bruises on Smollett were likely self-inflicted.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 21, 2019 12:36 UTC