Update: Jussie Smollett’s Appeal Relating To 2019 Hate Crime Hoax To Be Heard In Illinois Supreme Court

Jussie Smollett

Update: Jussie Smollett’s Appeal Relating To 2019 Hate Crime Hoax To Be Heard In Illinois Supreme Court

Update: (Mar. 27, 2024): We might be (finally) nearing the end of Jussie Smollett’s 2019 hate crime incident.

As previously reported, last month the actor’s legal team petitioned the Illinois Supreme Court to intervene in the case. You may recall in December a court judge denied his appeal to overrule the conviction for purportedly orchestrating an attack against himself. He was initially sentenced to 150 days and ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution. However, Smollett was freed after serving 6 days due to his pending appeal.

According to reports, the celeb’s legal team wants prosecutors to follow through on the alleged deal they offered Smollett in 2019, which included community service and forfeiting his $10,000 bond for his charges to be dropped.

However, prosecutors have denied making the agreement.

[VIA]

Original Story: (Feb. 6, 2024): Actor Jussie Smollett is doing what he can to stay out of jail.

As you may recall, in February 2019, Jussie Smollett was hit with a class 4 felony for filing a false police report. The month prior it’s said that the entertainer paid two Nigerian brothers to act as MAGA supporters and physically/verbally assault him. In December 2021, after his initial charges were dropped, the “Empire” star was convicted on five felony counts of disorderly conduct related to the hoax. He was ultimately sentenced to 150 days and ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution.

However, Jussie Smollett was released due to his pending appeal after spending 6 days in the slammer. In December 2023, a court judge denied his appeal to overrule the conviction.

According to new reports, Jussie Smollett’s legal team now wants the Illinois Supreme Court to intervene in the matter to ensure their client doesn’t spend more time behind bars. Reportedly, his lawyers are arguing that prosecutors should have to uphold the initial deal they offered Smollett back in 2019 to have the charges dropped. The entertainer reportedly agreed to community service and forfeited his $10,000 bond.

Jussie Smollett, Osundairo Brothers

Smollett’s attorney Nenye Uche reportedly wrote in the filing,

“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.”

According to Smollett, the only reason he was indicted a second time is because the special prosecutor “gave in to public outcry.”

An investigation was launched after Smollett’s 2019 charges were dropped as many questioned the validity of the initial deal between the celeb’s defense team and First Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Magats.

Jussie Smollett

What are your thoughts on this entire situation? Tell us in the comments below.

[VIA: 1,2]