November 21st 2024.
Jussie Smollett made headlines around the world for his alleged 2019 attack in Chicago. However, the former Empire actor's conviction for falsely reporting the attack has now been overturned by the Supreme Court of Illinois.
Smollett had originally told police officers that he was attacked by two men who yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him and put a noose around his neck. But officials later accused him of paying the men to carry out the attack, and the charges were dropped after he forfeited $10,000.
However, a special prosecutor later refiled the charges and Smollett was convicted in 2021, resulting in a 150-day jail sentence. But today, the Supreme Court announced that his conviction has been overturned, citing a violation of his rights as the charges were pursued despite being dropped.
The court's opinion acknowledged the public's interest in the case and the dissatisfaction with the original resolution, but stated that it would be unjust to disregard agreements that people had relied on.
Special prosecutor Dan K Webb expressed disappointment with the decision, stating that it goes against established Illinois precedent and the overwhelming evidence presented at trial. He also clarified that the ruling does not change Smollett's guilt in orchestrating the fake hate crime.
Smollett had alleged that he was attacked by two men wearing ski masks who shouted "MAGA country" and put a noose around his neck. However, he was later arrested and accused of paying the men to carry out the attack. Throughout the legal proceedings, he has maintained his innocence.
After a highly publicized trial, Smollett was convicted and sentenced to 150 days in jail, of which he served six days. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $145,000. Last December, he lost an appeal to overturn the conviction, but the Illinois Appellate Court decided to uphold it.
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