Jussie Smollett Trial Juror Speaks Out: We All Thought We Were Doing Jussie A Favor

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett Trial Juror Speaks Out: We All Thought We Were Doing Jussie A Favor

A juror for Jussie Smollett’s trial is speaking out about the verdict.

It’s been a few days since ex-Empire actor Jussie Smollett was found guilty of five out of six counts for making false police reports. An anonymous juror on the trial has already revealed what it was like to determine Jussie Smollett’s fate. According to a source, the juror stated:

“We all thought we were doing Jussie a favor.”

They added:

“It was not evenly split, but there were some doubters.”

They continued:

“I just hope that [Smollett and his attorneys] know that we went in there with an open mind. I listened to both sides. We wanted to make sure that those who had doubts didn’t feel pressured.”

Jussie Smollett

The juror–who is believed to be one of the 6 women on the panel based on the source–was speaking about the panel’s decision to withhold their vote for the sixth count. They noted that the sixth count specifically addressed one of Jussie’s interviews with detectives, in which he allegedly lied and claimed he’d fallen victim to aggravated battery. The remaining counts were for disorderly conduct (reporting a battery) and reporting a hate crime. This caused a bit of confusion, as the panel questioned the purpose of the sixth charge and why it seemed different than the remaining counts. Of the baffling situation, the juror said:

“We were told it was an aggravated battery because he said they were wearing a mask. [But] in all [of Smollett’s] accounts of what happened, he mentioned a mask.”

She concluded that, if all the battery counts would’ve been charged the same:

“I think we probably would have found him guilty [on all six counts].”

Ultimately, the juror said, it was Jussie’s lack of credible answers throughout his testimony–along with the fact that he reportedly had no supporting witnesses–that determined their final decision. Although it took them 9 hours to decide, the juror claimed that the panel didn’t disagree. Instead, they were having an in-depth discourse about the evidence and testimony.

Jussie Smollett’s testimony for the hate crime hoax trial began last Monday (Dec. 6). The trial ended on Dec. 9. While he was convicted on 6 counts, he is not expected to serve any jail time.

Do you agree with the jury’s decision? Leave us a comment and let us know!

[VIA]