Actor Jussie Smollett, known for the TV show Empire, was released from jail on March 16 after an Illinois appeals court granted his defense attorneys an emergency motion. Smollett’s legal team contended that their client was in danger in jail as he awaited the outcome of his appeal.
Smollet was convicted in December 2021 of lying to Chicago Police about being the victim of a hate crime that allegedly occurred in 2019. He was sentenced to 150 days behind bars, according to Fox News. He was also given 30 months of felony probation, fined $25,000, and required to pay restitution of $120,106.
Smollett reported two unknown men attacked him on a wintry night in January 2019. They allegedly yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him, threw bleach on him, and wrapped a noose around his neck. Smollet is black and gay.
As soon as the story broke, celebrities and politicians spoke out to defend him and rebuke the attack. Chicago police were looking into the case as a possible hate crime. However, the investigation revealed that the actor had planned the incident and hired two brothers from the Fox show Empire to stage it for publicity.
Smollett said he was not guilty under oath during the trial. After nine hours of deliberation, the jury found him guilty of five of six felony charges.
According to Vanity Fair, more than two dozen police officers and detectives worked on the Smollett case for weeks in 2019, which led to 1,836 overtime hours.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that Cook County Judge James Linn denied Smollett’s request to suspend his sentence. The 39-year-old was immediately apprehended, but not before making a declaration to those in the courtroom.
“I did not do this, and I am not suicidal, and if anything happens to me when I go there, I did not do it to myself, and you must all know that,” Smollett said. “Although I appreciate you and your decision, your honor should be aware that I did not commit myself, and I have no reason to believe I am suicidal in any way. Please understand that if anything happens to me when I walk into that room, it is not my fault, and you must accept responsibility for your actions.”
Smollett’s attorneys filed a motion to have the actor released from jail until the conclusion of his appeal, claiming that the actor had been “the target” of terrifying threats on social media. It is stated in the filing that “Mr. Smollett has become the target of vicious threats on social media forums, which no doubt reflects the hatred and desire for physical harm towards Smollett that he may experience while incarcerated.” His jail sentence would have been already completed by the time a decision could be made on the appeal.
In a 2-1 decision on March 16, the appeals court said Smollett could be released after posting a $150,000 personal recognizance bond, which means he doesn’t have to put money down but pledges to appear in court as needed.
