Attorneys for Jussie Smollett filed their appeal of his conviction on Wednesday, as they seek to keep him from having to go back to jail on hate crime hoax charges.
Smollett was released a year ago pending his appeal, after serving six days of his 150-day sentence. Attorneys for the former “Empire” actor were originally due to file his appellate brief last August, but have been granted five extensions of that deadline.
Smollett was convicted in December 2021 of lying to police when he claimed to have been assaulted by two men who shouted homophobic and racist slurs, poured a chemical substance on him, and put a rope around his neck.
After initially treating the case as a genuine hate crime, Chicago detectives ultimately concluded that Smollett had paid two men $3,500 to stage the attack.
In the appellate brief, Smollett’s attorneys argue that the trial judge, James Linn, made a series of reversible errors,...
Smollett was released a year ago pending his appeal, after serving six days of his 150-day sentence. Attorneys for the former “Empire” actor were originally due to file his appellate brief last August, but have been granted five extensions of that deadline.
Smollett was convicted in December 2021 of lying to police when he claimed to have been assaulted by two men who shouted homophobic and racist slurs, poured a chemical substance on him, and put a rope around his neck.
After initially treating the case as a genuine hate crime, Chicago detectives ultimately concluded that Smollett had paid two men $3,500 to stage the attack.
In the appellate brief, Smollett’s attorneys argue that the trial judge, James Linn, made a series of reversible errors,...
- 3/2/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Update, 6:41 Pm: Jussie Smollett is officially out of jail.
Following the decision earlier today, by an Illinois Appellate Court to cut short the former Empire star’s 150-day sentence pending appeal, Smollett walked out of Cook County Jail at around 8 Pm local time.
Surrounded by members of his defense team, family and other supporters, Smollett was silent as he exited the Chicago facility. Defense attorney Nenye Uche told the assembled media that his client only drank water over the past 6 days and ate no food whatsoever.
Previously, 4:12 Pm: After less than a week behind bars on a 150-day sentence for faking a hate crime, Jussie Smollett will be walking out of the Cook County Jail on Wednesday.
A one-page order unceremoniously released by the Illinois Appellate Court today in a 2-1 decision granted the motion from the former Empire actor’s lawyers for a stay of the sentence.
Following the decision earlier today, by an Illinois Appellate Court to cut short the former Empire star’s 150-day sentence pending appeal, Smollett walked out of Cook County Jail at around 8 Pm local time.
Surrounded by members of his defense team, family and other supporters, Smollett was silent as he exited the Chicago facility. Defense attorney Nenye Uche told the assembled media that his client only drank water over the past 6 days and ate no food whatsoever.
Previously, 4:12 Pm: After less than a week behind bars on a 150-day sentence for faking a hate crime, Jussie Smollett will be walking out of the Cook County Jail on Wednesday.
A one-page order unceremoniously released by the Illinois Appellate Court today in a 2-1 decision granted the motion from the former Empire actor’s lawyers for a stay of the sentence.
- 3/17/2022
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
An appeals court ordered former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett released from jail on Wednesday, just seven days into a 150-day sentence for faking a hate crime.
In a 2-1 ruling, the justices ordered Smollett released pending the appeal of his conviction, on the condition that he post a $150,000 bond.
The justices did not explain their ruling.
Smollett’s attorney, Nenye Uche, had warned that Smollett was the subject of threats and could face physical harm while in custody. He also argued that Smollett was likely to be kept in solitary confinement, which could damage his mental health.
Sean Wieber, representing the special prosecutor’s office that handled the case, countered that in fact Smollett was not being held in solitary confinement — which the Cook County jail system has discontinued since 2016 — and that the jail had taken care to protect his physical and mental health. Wieber also argued that Smollett’s appellate arguments are without merit.
In a 2-1 ruling, the justices ordered Smollett released pending the appeal of his conviction, on the condition that he post a $150,000 bond.
The justices did not explain their ruling.
Smollett’s attorney, Nenye Uche, had warned that Smollett was the subject of threats and could face physical harm while in custody. He also argued that Smollett was likely to be kept in solitary confinement, which could damage his mental health.
Sean Wieber, representing the special prosecutor’s office that handled the case, countered that in fact Smollett was not being held in solitary confinement — which the Cook County jail system has discontinued since 2016 — and that the jail had taken care to protect his physical and mental health. Wieber also argued that Smollett’s appellate arguments are without merit.
- 3/16/2022
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Jussie Smollett is receiving jail time followed by probation for staging an apparent hate crime against himself and filing a false police report. On Thursday, Cook County Judge James Linn sentenced the former "Empire" star to 150 days in county jail and 30 months of felony probation after a Chicago jury found him guilty of five counts of disorderly conduct, "People" confirmed. Additionally, the actor will have to pay $120,106 in restitution and a fine of $25,000 for his involvement in the January 2019 incident, per "People." On Jan. 29, 2019, Smollett claimed two men attacked him on his way home. The actor alleged that the masked men, since identified as Abimbola "Bola" and Olabinjo "Ola" Osundairo, called him racist and homophobic slurs during the attack, put a rope around his neck, and doused him with bleach. Per prosecutors, Smollett paid the brothers $3,500 to carry out the assault, "People" reported. During the sentencing on Thursday, Judge Linn told the actor,...
- 3/13/2022
- by Naledi Ushe
- Popsugar.com
Jussie Smollett has been sentenced to time behind bars for lying to police about an alleged hate crime.
On Thursday, the former Empire star was told by a judge that he would be given 30 months of felony probation, five months behind bars, and a fine of $25,000.
He was also told he would have to pay over $120,000 in restitution
News of the sentencing comes months after he was found guilty on five of six felony charges linked to a false police report filed in 2019.
At the time, the actor and musician claimed that he had been beaten up by two white men who yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him.
He alleged the attackers tied a rope around his neck and poured an "unknown substance" over him, all while saying he was in a "Maga country."
He also alleged that he had received a threatening letter days before the alleged attack,...
On Thursday, the former Empire star was told by a judge that he would be given 30 months of felony probation, five months behind bars, and a fine of $25,000.
He was also told he would have to pay over $120,000 in restitution
News of the sentencing comes months after he was found guilty on five of six felony charges linked to a false police report filed in 2019.
At the time, the actor and musician claimed that he had been beaten up by two white men who yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him.
He alleged the attackers tied a rope around his neck and poured an "unknown substance" over him, all while saying he was in a "Maga country."
He also alleged that he had received a threatening letter days before the alleged attack,...
- 3/11/2022
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Jussie Smollett's siblings gave their thoughts after his sentencing. Outside the Chicago courthouse on March 10, Jussie's siblings spoke with reporters, saying that he is innocent and that he did not deserve the sentencing. The Empire star was found guilty of five of six charges for filing a false police report in 2019. His report of an alleged hate crime led judge James Linn to sentence him to 150 days in a county jail starting Thursday and 30 months of felony probation. "[The judge] shamed my brother, he spoke about his arrogance," his brother Jojo Smollett, 44, said. "He doesn't know the struggles my brother is encountering. He doesn't know anything that...
- 3/11/2022
- E! Online
Jussie Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in prison and 30 months probation on Thursday after being found guilty in December of lying to police about being the victim of a hate crime. The judge also ordered Smollett to pay the City of Chicago $120,000 and fined him $25,000. During the emotional sentencing, the judge mulled Smollett’s perceived good deeds alongside the actions for which he had been convicted. The judge called the defendant selfish, arrogant and narcissistic during the sentencing. Following the ruling, Smollett declared, “I am not suicidal, I am innocent.
- 3/11/2022
- by Daniel Kreps and Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
Former Empire star Jussie Smollett has been sentenced to five months in jail after he was previously found guilty on five of six felony charges stemming from a false police report he filed in 2019.
Smollett was also sentenced to 30 months of felony probation and was fined $25,000. He’ll have to pay more than $120,000 in restitution as well.
More from TVLineEmpire Vet Jussie Smollett Found Guilty on Five Felony Charges Stemming From False Attack Report in 2019Jussie Smollett's Empire Return: Fox Boss Says It's Not Happening2019's Biggest TV Controversies: SNL's Mis-Hire, Rookie Exit, Constance Wu Rues Renewal, College Bribes...
Smollett was also sentenced to 30 months of felony probation and was fined $25,000. He’ll have to pay more than $120,000 in restitution as well.
More from TVLineEmpire Vet Jussie Smollett Found Guilty on Five Felony Charges Stemming From False Attack Report in 2019Jussie Smollett's Empire Return: Fox Boss Says It's Not Happening2019's Biggest TV Controversies: SNL's Mis-Hire, Rookie Exit, Constance Wu Rues Renewal, College Bribes...
- 3/11/2022
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
Former “Empire” star Jussie Smollett was sentenced to five months in jail on Thursday for concocting a hate crime hoax, in which he lied to police about being jumped by two men who yelled racist and homophobic slurs.
Judge James Linn also ordered Smollett to pay $120,000 restitution to the city of Chicago, plus a $25,000 fine, and to serve 30 months of probation. After the sentence was announced, Smollett stood up and said, “I am innocent and I am not suicidal.” Smollett continued to shout as he was led out of the courtroom and remanded to custody.
Linn delivered a scathing rebuke before rendering the sentence, saying Smollett had taken some “scabs off some healing wounds” because he wanted to make himself more famous.
“You’ve turned your life upside down by your misconduct and shenanigans. You’ve destroyed your life as you knew it,” Linn said. “You wanted to get the...
Judge James Linn also ordered Smollett to pay $120,000 restitution to the city of Chicago, plus a $25,000 fine, and to serve 30 months of probation. After the sentence was announced, Smollett stood up and said, “I am innocent and I am not suicidal.” Smollett continued to shout as he was led out of the courtroom and remanded to custody.
Linn delivered a scathing rebuke before rendering the sentence, saying Smollett had taken some “scabs off some healing wounds” because he wanted to make himself more famous.
“You’ve turned your life upside down by your misconduct and shenanigans. You’ve destroyed your life as you knew it,” Linn said. “You wanted to get the...
- 3/11/2022
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Just more than three months after being found guilty on five felony counts, including lying to Chicago cops, over an alleged 2019 hate crime attack, former Empire actor Jussie Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail Thursday, starting immediately. While avoiding state prison, the incarceration comes as a part of an overall sentence of 30 months probation, $120,106 in restitution to the Windy City, and a further $25,000 fine.
When the sentence was unveiled and deputies prepared to take him to the Cook County Jail, Smollett pulled off his mask, stood up and repeatedly said, “I am not suicidal.”
“If anything happens to me in there, I did not do it,” the actor exclaimed. Led out of the courtroom, Smollett raised his fist in the air and yelled “I am not suicidal, I am innocent!”
Jussie Smollett after the sentencing: “I am not suicidal. If anything happens to me when I go in there,...
When the sentence was unveiled and deputies prepared to take him to the Cook County Jail, Smollett pulled off his mask, stood up and repeatedly said, “I am not suicidal.”
“If anything happens to me in there, I did not do it,” the actor exclaimed. Led out of the courtroom, Smollett raised his fist in the air and yelled “I am not suicidal, I am innocent!”
Jussie Smollett after the sentencing: “I am not suicidal. If anything happens to me when I go in there,...
- 3/11/2022
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
New criminal charges against actor Jussie Smollett do not violate his right against double jeopardy, a Cook County, Illinois judge ruled Friday.
Judge James Linn said the case against Smollett, the former Empire TV star accused of setting up a false claim of assault by two men who uttered racial slurs, will continue.
Smollett claimed to be jumped by two men on the night of Jan. 29, 2019 while seeking to get some food. He claimed the men put a noose around his neck and told him during the assault, “This is Maga county.”
Subsequent investigations revealed he knew his attackers. As a result, he lost his TV job and has since been largely out of the public eye except for his ongoing legal troubles.
Smollett previously agreed to forfeit his $10,000 bond and made no admission of wrongdoing in exchange for having 16 charges against him on the phony assault case dropped. The...
Judge James Linn said the case against Smollett, the former Empire TV star accused of setting up a false claim of assault by two men who uttered racial slurs, will continue.
Smollett claimed to be jumped by two men on the night of Jan. 29, 2019 while seeking to get some food. He claimed the men put a noose around his neck and told him during the assault, “This is Maga county.”
Subsequent investigations revealed he knew his attackers. As a result, he lost his TV job and has since been largely out of the public eye except for his ongoing legal troubles.
Smollett previously agreed to forfeit his $10,000 bond and made no admission of wrongdoing in exchange for having 16 charges against him on the phony assault case dropped. The...
- 6/12/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Update: The Illinois Supreme Court rejected former Empire actor Jussie Smollett’s request to throw out charges against him.
In addition to that, the court rejected Smollett’s bid to remove the special prosecutor in the case. The decisions were announced on Friday.
Earlier: Almost two weeks after being newly indicted on felony charges arising from the alleged fake hate crime attack of January 2019, Jussie Smollett was back in court today, in more ways than one.
Appearing in a Cook County criminal courthouse to plead not guilty this morning, the former Empire star was also pleading with the Illinois Supreme Court to kill the latest charges. The filed motion for a stay and dismissal of special prosecutor Dan Webb’s February 11 move of six renewed charges claims that “the recent Smollett indictment wasn’t proper because the special prosecutor was appointed incorrectly.”
As controversy continued to grow around the assault...
In addition to that, the court rejected Smollett’s bid to remove the special prosecutor in the case. The decisions were announced on Friday.
Earlier: Almost two weeks after being newly indicted on felony charges arising from the alleged fake hate crime attack of January 2019, Jussie Smollett was back in court today, in more ways than one.
Appearing in a Cook County criminal courthouse to plead not guilty this morning, the former Empire star was also pleading with the Illinois Supreme Court to kill the latest charges. The filed motion for a stay and dismissal of special prosecutor Dan Webb’s February 11 move of six renewed charges claims that “the recent Smollett indictment wasn’t proper because the special prosecutor was appointed incorrectly.”
As controversy continued to grow around the assault...
- 3/8/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
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