Jussie Smollett Sentenced to 150 Days in County Jail
Jussie Smollett was sentenced Thursday to 150 days in jail for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack that the former “Empire” actor orchestrated himself.
Cook County Judge James Linn sentenced Smollett to 30 months of felony probation, including 150 days in the county jail. Linn denied a request to suspend Smollett’s sentence and ordered he be placed in custody immediately.
Smollett was also ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution.
"I AM NOT SUICIDAL! I am NOT suicidal! I am innocent!" #JussieSmollett wants everyone to know if something happens to him in jail he did not do it to himself. @LawCrimeNetwork pic.twitter.com/j8Zrjxs4dR
— Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) March 11, 2022
Smollett loudly proclaimed his innocence after the sentence. “I am innocent. I could have said I am guilty a long time ago,” Smollett shouted as sheriff’s deputies led him out of the courtroom, capping an hourslong sentencing hearing.
#JussieSmollett gets 150 days in county jail and he’s acting like he got 20 to life in prison. 💀
— your ultimate 🅿️lug (@GimK_) March 11, 2022
#jussiesmollett pic.twitter.com/hJ0nARAL7Y
— Mike Jonsinolio (@HimHeManGuy) March 11, 2022
WHOA~
Judge in Jussie Smollett Case
"You really craved the attention"
"You wanted to make yourself more famous"
#JussieSmollettWatch Til End pic.twitter.com/5GXdqKIR2Q
— Lawyerforlaws (@lawyer4laws) March 11, 2022
Smollett’s defense attorney Nenye Uche asked Linn to limit the sentence to community service. He said Smollett “has lost nearly everything” in his career and finances and asked that Linn give him time to make restitution if that is part of the sentence.
Jussie Smollett’s grandmother, testifying for the defense, asked Linn not to include prison time in his sentence for Smollett.
“I ask you, judge, not to send him to prison,” Molly Smollett, 92, told the court. She later added, “If you do, send me along with him, OK?”
Smollett’s brother, Joel Smollett, Jr., told the court that Smollett is “not a threat to the people of Illinois. In my humble opinion he is completely innocent.”
Smollett’s attorneys also read aloud letters from other supporters, including an organizer with Black Lives Matter, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and LaTanya and Samuel L. Jackson that asked Linn to consider the case’s effect on Smollett’s life and career and to avoid any confinement as part of his sentence.
Other supporters spoke about worries that Smollett would be at risk in prison, specifically mentioning his race, sexual orientation and his family’s Jewish heritage.
Cruel: Jussie Smollett Will Be Forced To Share A Jail Cell With His Attackerhttps://t.co/FSgTn67Slr
— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) March 11, 2022
BYE FELICIA: #JussieSmollett sentenced to 150 days in jail for hate hoax, then throws up the communist black power fist and begins to shout: “I AM NOT SUICIDAL!” as he his hauled away to jail in shame pic.twitter.com/3rFIQbZSPF
— Drew Hernandez (@DrewHLive) March 11, 2022
Source: https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1469100931346173954
What happened today to @JussieSmollett must never be tolerated in this country. We must stand up and demand that we no longer give this hate safe harbor; that homophobia and racism have no place on our streets or in our hearts. We are with you, Jussie. https://t.co/o8ilPu68CM
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 30, 2019