REOPENED: Special Prosecutor Appointed To Investigate ENTIRE Jussie Smollett Case!

Here's more from NBC News:

A judge ruled Friday that a special prosecutor needs to investigate Cook County State's Attorney Kimberly Foxx'shandling of the Jussie Smollett case and that the "Empire" actor should be re-examined for possible criminal charges.

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Michael Toomin ruled in favor of Sheila O'Brien, a former appellate judge who had called for a special prosecutor to find why charges were dropped against Smollett over his allegedly false report that he was the victim of a racist, homophobic attack.

"The unprecedented irregularities identified in this case warrants the appointment of independent counsel to restore the public's confidence in the integrity of our criminal justice system," wrote Toomin, who is presiding judge over the Cook County Juvenile Justice Division.

Not only should a special counsel take a fresh look at Foxx's actions, but the independent prosecutor should look at "all aspects of the case" and "if reasonable grounds exist to further prosecute Smollett, in the interest of justice, the special prosecutor may take such action as may be appropriate," Toomin wrote.

While Smollett was indicted for allegedly making a false police report, he was never put on trial. So double-jeopardy protections against being prosecuted after an acquittal would not apply here.

O'Brien hailed Toomin's ruling.

"It’s very thorough and it’s very complete," O'Brien said. "Well get the truth, the whole truth, under oath."

Smollett was accused of falsely reporting what police say was a staged racist and anti-gay attack on himself in January in Chicago. He was indicted by a grand jury of felony counts that he committed disorderly conduct by making a false report, according to a criminal complaint.

Smollett was arrested in February, but Foxx's office dropped charges against him in March. The actor has maintained his innocence and insists he was attacked.

On the announcement of the case's re-opening, Fox News also said:

Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx's handling of the controversial Jussie Smollett alleged hate crime case -- including the contentious decision to suddenly drop all charges against him -- will be examined by a special prosecutor, an Illinois judge ruled Friday afternoon.

The decision by Cook County Judge Michael Toomin comes after a deluge of criticism and second-guessing regarding Foxx's management of the case, in which Smollett claimed he was attacked in the early morning hours of Jan. 29 while walking home to his Chicago apartment.

Toomin, according to the Chicago Tribune, said the special prosecutor could re-charge Smollett.

Foxx has defended her handling of the case and previously said she would welcome an independent investigation. But her office opposed a special prosecutor, explaining the investigation would just duplicate the efforts of a county inspector general's office probe that is already underway.