Two brothers stand at the centre of the case that prosecutors will lay before jurors when the trial of Jussie Smollett begins this week.

The former Empire actor contends he was the victim of a racist and homophobic assault in downtown Chicago on a frigid night in January 2019. The siblings, who worked with him on the TV show, say he paid them $3,500 US to pose as his attackers.

Jury selection began Monday in a Chicago courtroom. Judge James Linn said he expects the trial to take about one week.

Smollett is accused of lying to police about the attack. He’s charged with felony