Jussie Smollett: Special Prosecutor Denies Actor’s Assertion That He Was Granted A Deal To Avoid Jail Time In Hate Crime Hoax

Jussie Smollett: Special Prosecutor Denies Actor’s Assertion That He Was Granted A Deal To Avoid Jail Time In Hate Crime Hoax

Jussie Smollett is getting pushback on his efforts to avoid imprisonment.

Special prosecutor Dan Webb, who prosecuted Smollett for fabricating a hate crime, disagrees with the actor’s recent appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court. He says that Smollett’s assertion of having an arrangement to avoid prosecution is unfounded.

Despite Webb’s position, Smollett maintains that an agreement was established between him and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. The agreement allegedly outlined a deal where in exchange for completing community service and forfeiting his bond, Smollett’s charges would be dropped.

Jussie Smollett

Webb, however, denies what he calls Smollett’s “imaginary” agreement. He also rebuts Smollett’s assertion of “double jeopardy” and makes it clear that the legal principle is not applicable in this scenario.

According to documents obtained by TMZ, Webb argues that double jeopardy is “triggered only after the accused has been subjected to the hazards of trial and possible conviction.”

Jussie Smollett

Webb points out that the initial charges against Smollett were dropped just 12 days following the actor’s arraignment, which was long before the establishment of a jury, the swearing-in of witnesses, or the presentation of evidence.

The special prosecutor contends that Smollett’s case is not suitable for review by the IL Supreme Court and urges the court to dismiss the appeal, thereby forcing the actor to complete his sentence.

As previously reported, in February 2019, Smollett faced a class 4 felony charge for allegedly fabricating a police report. It was reported that the actor paid two Nigerian brothers to portray MAGA supporters and stage a physical/verbal attack on him the previous month. Following the dismissal of his initial charges in December 2021, Smollett was found guilty of five felony counts of disorderly conduct connected to the incident. He was eventually sentenced to 150 days in prison and instructed to pay $120,106 in restitution.

Jussie Smollett

Smollett was released from custody just six days into his 150-day sentence due to his appeal on March 16, 2022. However, a judge eventually rejected the appeal in December 2023.

Earlier this month, Smollett’s legal team expressed that they wanted the Illinois Supreme Court to intervene in the matter to ensure their client didn’t spend additional time in jail.

In the court filing, Smollett’s attorney, Nenye Uche stated,

“What should have been a straightforward case has been complicated by the intersection of politics and public outrage. The dismissal of the Petitioner’s charges, after his complete performance, was the result of a collaborative effort and agreement reached between the State and the Petitioner.”

What are your thoughts on the current status of Jussie Smollett’s case? Tell us in the comments below!

[VIA:1]