CHICAGO (WLS) -- Jussie Smollett's trial began Monday nearly three years after the former "Empire" actor reported he was the victim of a racist, homophobic attack in Chicago. The actor is facing charges for what authorities say was a fake attack. Smollett told police he was walking home early in the morning back in January of 2019 when two men recognized him and began hurling racial and homophobic slurs at him.