Jussie Smollett’s case file is unsealed by judge

A judge in Chicago on Thursday unsealed Jussie Smollett’s court records after media organizations asked that documents related to the “Empire” actor’s arrest be made publicly accessible.

The decision to unseal the case could allow public access to documents from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office that could shed light on why the office suddenly dropped all charges against Smollett in March.

Smollett was accused of staging a racist and homophobic assault against himself. After the charges were dropped, the court approved a request by Smollett’s lawyer to seal the case; several news organizations, including The New York Times, asked the judge to reverse that decision, citing a need for more transparency in why local prosecutors suddenly decided to withdraw charges.