Taraji P. Henson Defends Jussie Smollett, Compares Him To Emmett Till: The Punishment Does Not Fit The Crime!

Jussie Smollett, Emmett Till, Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson Defends Jussie Smollett, Compares Him To Emmett Till: The Punishment Does Not Fit The Crime!

Jussie Smollett receives public support.

Actress Taraji P. Henson is one of the latest celebrities to show support for actor Jussie Smollett, who’s currently behind bars. Taraji expressed that her former co-star’s 150-day sentence is unjust via Instagram. She also compared him to Emmett Till, a Chicago teen who was brutalized beyond recognition during the Jim Crow era.

Taraji stated:

“I am not here to debate you on his innocence but we can agree that the punishment does not fit the crime. Emmett Till was brutally beat and ultimately murdered because of a lie and none of the people involved with his demise spent one day in jail, even after Carolyn Bryant admitted that her claims were false.”

She continued:

“No one was hurt or killed during Jussie’s ordeal. He has already lost everything, EVERYTHING! To me as an artist not able to create that in itself is punishment enough. He can’t get a job. No one in Hollywood will hire him and again as an artist who loves to create, that is prison. My prayer is that he is freed and put on house arrest and probation because in this case that would seem fair. Please #freejussie.”

Jussie’s brother and former child actor Jocqui gave an update on the ex-Empire star’s condition. According to Jocqui, his brother was placed in a psych ward.

“Jussie is currently in a psych ward at the Cook County Jail. What’s very concerning is that there was a note attached to his paperwork today and put on the front of his jail cell saying that he’s at risk of self-harm. I want to just make it clear to folks that he is in no way, shape, or form at risk of self-harm. And he wants to let folks know that he is very stable, he is very strong, he is very healthy, and ready to take on the challenge that ultimately has been put up against him.”

Jussie Smollett was sentenced to 150 in county jail, along with two and a half years of probation for staging a hate crime.

Do you agree with Taraji or Jussie’s brother? Leave us a comment and let us know!

[VIA]