Jussie Smollett’s Legal Team Requests An Emergency Release – Claim Family Member Received Call Threatening Sexual Assault On Jailed Actor

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett’s Legal Team Requests An Emergency Release – Claim Family Member Received Call Threatening Sexual Assault On Jailed Actor

Jussie Smollett‘s legal team is working hard to try and secure his release. Lawyers for the embattled actor, 39, reportedly filed documents on March 14 requesting Jussie Smollett be released from Cook County jail immediately, citing “vicious threats” against him and his family. They added that the hate he receives on social media

“no doubt reflects the hatred and wish for physical harm toward Smollett, which he may experience during incarceration.”

Jussie Smollett

A member of Jussie Smollett‘s family reported receiving threatening phone calls, including one from a man who wished sexual assault on the former actor.

“I hope what they do to that guy in jail — here’s what they’re going to do, right. They’re going to take a broom handle, and take that little [expletive], shove it in there, and he’s gonna go, ‘[shrieking sound],’” the man reportedly said.

In response, a representative with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office maintained they are alert to Smollett‘s “safety and security” and recommended the family member call police to report the calls.

Jussie Smollett

The filing comes just days after Smollett was sentenced for disorderly conduct for filing a fake police report. He reported to police that he was walking in Chicago early one morning in January 2019 when he was jumped by two men, who hurled racial and homophobic epithets at him, doused him in a liquid thought to be bleach, and hung a noose around his neck.

Smollett‘s claims triggered a media firestorm and an investigation by Chicago police, who later returned with claims that he had staged the attack. They argued he did so because he wanted more attention and money from his show at the time, Empire.

Smollett was sentenced on March 10 to 150 days in jail and mandated to pay a $25,000 fine and $120,000 in restitution to Chicago. He vehemently denied the allegations against him when police announced their findings and continues to do so now.

Speaking after his sentencing, Smollett stood up to once again proclaim his innocence and announced he was “not suicidal” in case anything happened to him in jail.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson and Jurnee Smollett are some of the people who have supported his release.

What are your thoughts on his attempts to get out of jail? Let us know in the comments.

[VIA]