Actor Jussie Smollett petitions the Illinois Supreme Court to review his conviction for falsely reporting a hate crime incident.
Rebellious Request: Jussie Smollett, famed actor from "Empire," has taken his years-long legal fiasco to new heights. In a bold move, he's now pleaded to the Illinois Supreme Court to review his case, which was initiated after he was accused of faking a hate crime in 2019 and deceiving Chicago cops.
Back in 2021, a jury nailed him with five counts of disorderly conduct for lying to the police. The maximum punishment? A five-month jail stint, but he was released while appealing the verdict. Fast forward to the present, Smollett insists on his innocence, as the state Supreme Court ponders whether to intervene or let the lower court's decision stand.
Smollett's lawyers argue that his 2021 trial infringed on his Fifth Amendment rights, doubly punishing him for the same crime. They cite his previous agreement with the Cook County state's attorney's office, where he fulfilled community service and forfeited a $10,000 bond. This deal was scuppered in 2020 by a grand jury that reinstated charges against Smollett.
His claim that he was the victim of a racist, homophobic attack in 2019 soon spiraled into allegations that he orchestrated the whole thing. The cops pointed fingers at Smollett, claiming he paid two accomplices, associates from "Empire," to stage the attack. Prosecutors alleged Smollett specified the slurs and alerted them to shout they were in "MAGA Country."
Throughout the legal tumult, Smollett has continuously raised objections about the role of a special prosecutor, jury selection, evidence, and more. Alas, the Illinois Appellate Court provided a 2-1 ruling in 2023, affirming the conviction and sentencing, and here we are.
On a separate note, the City of Chicago and Smollett have reached a confidential settlement regarding the civil lawsuit filed by the city over the police investigation funds. The specifics are sealed, and the duo is currently addressing the finalization of the documentation in court. As of May 2025, all eyes remain on the pending hearing scheduled for May 29. Keep it locked!
- The controversy surrounding Jussie Smollett, a celebrity known for his role in "Empire," has extended beyond entertainment, touching on politics as he appeals his 2021 conviction for lying to police about a alleged hate crime.
- The community's attention has been drawn to the case, with ongoing discussions about Smollett's legal battle focusing on his Fifth Amendment rights and whether his 2021 trial was fair.
- General-news outlets have reported on the latest developments in the Smollett case, including his allegation that his trial infringed on his constitutional rights and the Illinois Supreme Court's consideration to intervene.
- Crime-and-justice headlines have been dominated by the Smollett case, as the outcome of the pending hearing on May 29 will impact Smollett's fate and potentially set a precedent for similar cases involving public figures and allegations of deception.
