Jussie Smollett sentenced to 150 days in jail
Back on January 29, 2019, many remember when “Empire” actor, Jussie Smollett, had the support of all of social media. This was due to him being the apparent victim of a hate crime, by two white men. Smollett had a noose around his neck, and the two men allegedly yelled Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan. Anti-gay slurs were also allegedly said.
It was later reported that Smollett paid Abel and Ola Osundairo $3,500, to help stage the attack. However, Smollett’s sentencing took place on Thursday, as he received 150 days in jail. 30 months of felony probation was also added. Smollett was initially convicted in December, off five counts of lying to police.
Smollett also faced five years in prison, for each of the five counts. In the end, the actor avoided a massive amount of jail time, and was also hit on the wrist with less than half a year, in jail. In addition to the 150 days, Smollett will also be ordered to pay $120,106 restitution to the city of Chicago, as well as the maximum $25,000 fine. Meanwhile, he is already now serving his sentence at the Cook County jail, in Chicago.
In addition to this sentencing, Judge James Linn denied a motion to “reconsider Smollett’s sentence or temporarily stay his jail sentence while his counsel filed an appeal,” per CBS. It was likely anticipated that Smollett had the plan to appeal, as soon as the sentencing was revealed.
“The wheels of justice turn slowly but sometimes the hammer of justice has to fall and it’s falling right now,” Linn said. “I’m not staying this. Let me tell you Mr. Smollett, I know that there is nothing that I will do here today that can come close to the damage you’ve already done to your own life.”
You’ve turned your life upside down by your misconduct and shenanigans, you’ve destroyed your life as you knew it, and there’s nothing that any sentencing judge could do to you that can compare to the damage you’ve already caused yourself. You’re just a charlatan pretending to be a victim of a hate crime, and that’s shameful.”
“You knew this was a country that was slowly trying to heal past injustices and current injustices and trying to make a better future for each other. And it was a hard road and you took some scabs off some healing wounds and you ripped them apart for one reason: You wanted to make yourself more famous, and for a while it worked.”
Smollett also added after the sentencing, that he is innocent, and “not suicidal.” He noted this, to emphasize that he wouldn’t harm himself, while in jail.
“If I did this, then it means that I stuck my fist in the fears of Black Americans in this country for over 400 years and the fears of the LGBT community. Your honor, I respect you and I respect the jury. But I did not do this, and I am not suicidal — and if anything happens to me when I go in there, I did not do it to myself. And you must all know that. I respect you, your honor, and I respect your decision.”
Smollett was a loved figure on Empire, as he played the role of Jamal Lyon. Lyon’s character lasted on the show from 2015-2019. Season 6 concluded in April 2020, without Jamal Lyon being included in the final two episodes. After the incident in January 2019 and the information that surfaced after, many didn’t anticipate Smollett to return to the show.
Jussie Smollett sentenced to 150 days in jail
