by Admin
Nov 22, 2024
Jussie Smollett, the Hollywood star was granted partial freedom on Wednesday after an appeal court judge ruled in his favor after an agreement with his lawyers was made that he should be released pending the appeal of his conviction for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack.
This sentence came a week after the actor was sentenced to an immediate 150 days imprisonment by a Cook County judge for his conviction on five felony counts of disorderly conduct for lying to police.
The case which began in January 2019 started when Smollet called the Chicago police to report an attack on him by two men in ski masks the hunt for the suspects later turned out to be an investigation on Smollet himself who reported the incident and was the victim of the crime.
Smollett’s attorneys had earlier argued in the appeal court that their client would have completed his sentence by the time the appeal process was completed and that their client could be in danger of physical harm if he remained locked up in Cook County Jail.
The Empire TV show star had an emotional outburst last week after he was sentenced to prison by the Cook County Judge, Smollet said “I am not suicidal. And if anything happens to me when I go in there, I do not do it to myself. And you must all know that.” The Hollywood actor insinuated that he was being imprisoned against his will by the Chicago police system because of his race and being gay.
A jury had earlier convicted Smollett in December on five felony counts of disorderly conduct, the charge filed when a person lies to police while Smollet was acquitted on a sixth count.
Judge James Linn of Cook County sentenced Smollett last week to 150 days in jail, but with good behavior, he could have been released in as little as 75 days. Smollett maintained his innocence during the trial.
Smollet was accused by the Chicago police that the Hollywood star paid two men he knew from his work on “Empire” to stage the attack on him while on his way home and also use racist and homophobic slurs on him.
The Appeal Court ruled in a 2-1 decision and gave a verdict that Smollett could be released after posting a personal recognizance bond of $150,000, suggesting he does not have to put down money but agrees to come to court as required.
However, it remains uncertain if the Hollywood actor was released immediately after the ruling.