What Was Jussie Smollett Sentence Today? Actor Jussie Smollett, who was part of the cast of the Empire series, was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months of probation. In addition, he will have to repay the city of Chicago for just over $120,000 and pay a fine of $25,000.
What Was Jussie Smollett Sentence Today?
Hearing a sentence from Cook County Judge James Linn, Smollett repeated that he is innocent of the charges.
Smollett also said he was not suicidal and said “if anything happens” while in prison, he did not take his own life.
Special prosecutor Dan Webb asked Linn to include “an appropriate amount of prison time” when sentencing the actor. Smollett’s attorneys asked the judge to limit the sentence to community service , arguing that he had already been punished by the criminal justice system and that his career had been harmed.
The actor’s relatives echoed those comments. “I ask you, Judge, not to send him to prison,” his grandmother, Molly Smollett, 92, told the court. She later added, “If he does, send me to him.”
Smollett’s attorneys also read aloud letters from other supporters, including a Black Lives Matter organizer Rainbow PUSH Coalition and fellow actor Samuel L. Jackson, who asked Judge Linn to consider the effect of the case on life and Smollett’s career and to avoid any confinement as part of his sentence.
Several supporters spoke about concerns that Smollett would be at risk in prison, specifically mentioning his race, sexual orientation, and his family’s Jewish heritage.
Linn said she considered those clemency requests, along with Smollett’s previous work and financial support from social justice organizations. But the judge also criticized Smollett as a narcissist and said he was shocked by his actions given the actor’s multiracial family background and his ties to social justice work.
Before sentencing began, Linn denied a defense motion to reverse the jury’s verdict on legal grounds. Judges rarely grant such motions.
Smollett faced up to three years in prison for each of the five felony disorderly persons offenses for which he was convicted. He was acquitted on a sixth charge.
But because Smollett doesn’t have an extensive criminal record and the conviction is for a low-level, nonviolent felony, legal experts said it was possible he could escape jail.
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