Jussie Smollett attacker Abimbola Osundairo denied claims that he and his brother are homophobic, the New York Post reported. On Thursday (Dec. 2), he underwent cross-examinations conducted by the singer’s defense team. While on the stand, he maintained that he was not homophobic and provided photos of him at a Pride Parade in an attempt to prove his case. He also refuted the defense attorney’s assumptions that he dated and had sexual relations with the “Empire” star.

During the court hearing, Abimbola was asked about a previous outing he had with Smollett at the Steamswork bathhouse in Boystown, a predominantly gay community in Chicago. “You don’t recall seeing gay pornography?… You don’t remember masturbating with him?” asked Attorney Shay Allen, to which the attacker responded, “No.” He insisted that there were no sexual relations with Smollett, who he solely considered a friend.

Later in the day, Olabinjo Osundairo took the stand and answered questions about past homophobic comments he made. He admitted that he once referred to a suspected gay man as “fruity ass” before providing further details about Smollett’s request and his role in the attack.

As REVOLT previously reported, Smollett filed a police report in 2019, claiming he was the victim of a homophobic, racist hate crime. Investigators later discovered that the Osundairo brothers were behind the attack. The siblings say Smollett paid them $3,500 to fake the assault after hate mail received at the “Empire” set wasn’t taken seriously enough. The actor and his defense team, however, claim he was attacked by the brothers, who he claims are homophobic. He said the $3,500 check was payment for personal training sessions. Olabinjo and Abimbola, he explained, were helping to prepare him for an upcoming video shoot.

Smollett faces three years in prison on six counts of disorderly conduct. The trial will resume on Monday (Dec. 6).