Opinion
The disgraced former “Empire” star Jussie Smollett is probably going heading again to jail after his conviction for staging a hate crime towards himself was upheld by an Illinois appeals court docket on Friday.
Smollett’s Conviction Upheld
Courtroom paperwork present that the conviction was upheld by a 2-1 vote, with Justice David Navarro and Justice Mary Ellen Coghlan agreeing and Choose Freddrenna Lyle dissenting.
“Here, the State’s nolle prosequi of the indictment was not a final disposition of the case,” the court docket stated, in response to CNN.
“Therefore, the State was not barred from re-prosecuting Smollett,” the court docket continued. “After the nolle prosequi was entered, Smollett was free to go without entering into a recognizance to appear at any other time, which is the bargain Smollett made.”
Associated: Jussie Smollett Returns To Courtroom To Attraction Conviction For Mendacity About Hate Crime
Smollett Responds
Smollett’s authorized group has already filed one other attraction with the Illinois Supreme Courtroom.
“We wish to highlight that the decision was divided, with Justice Lyle offering a detailed analysis in favor of Smollett,” Smollett’s consultant Holly Baird instructed Fox Information.”We’re making ready to escalate this matter to the Supreme Courtroom, armed with a considerable physique of proof.”
Particular Prosecutor Dan. Ok. Webb praised the appeals court docket for upholding the choice.
“As the appellate court noted, Mr. Smollett ‘challenge[d] virtually every aspect of’ the prosecution, and the appellate court correctly rejected each and every one of those challenges,” Webb stated. “Today’s decision is a validation of Winston & Strawn’s tireless work on this matter and a resounding victory for justice. We are proud to have prevailed in a case that, we believe, can help restore the public’s confidence in the Cook County justice system.”
Associated: Trump Calls Jussie Smollett A ‘Con Man’ Who ‘Wanted To Try And Get Sympathy So He Could Have His Contract Renewed’
Smollett’s Conviction
Again in 2021, Smollett was discovered responsible by a jury on 5 of the six costs of disorderly conduct after an almost two-week trial. This got here after Smollett claimed in January of 2019 that he was jumped by two males who hurled racist and homophobic assaults at him whereas additionally shouting “this is MAGA country.” After investigating Smollett’s claims, police concluded that he had allegedly staged the assault within the hopes of securing himself the next wage on “Empire.”
Smollett was later sentenced to 150 days in jail following the conviction. He was moreover sentenced to 30 months felony probation, restitution to town of Chicago within the quantity of $120,106 and a superb of $25,000.
Smollett continued to proclaim his innocence after being sentenced.
“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,” he stated on the time.
Smollett reported to jail on March 10, 2022, however he was launched six days later pending his attraction. The Illinois Supreme Courtroom will now resolve whether or not or to not hear Smollett’s case, and if his conviction isn’t overturned, he should serve out the remainder of his 150-day jail sentence.
Many really feel that Smollett tried to play off the racial and political divides on this nation for his personal private acquire. Do you suppose Smollett belongs in jail? Tell us within the feedback part.
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