Jussie Smollett released from jail… for now. Jussie Smollet was sentenced to 150 days in jail last week for falsely reporting that he was the victim of a hate crime in January 2019. He was ordered to pay restitution of more than $120,000 and a $25,000 fine, according to CNN.
Jussie’s family has been advocating for his innocence and asking for others to do the same, since his sentencing. The most outspoken person of his family has been his brother, Jocqui Smollett, who went on Jussie’s Instagram page to encourage fans to post #freejussie to advocate for his brother’s innocence.
Jocqui’s Instagram post, along with the support of Smollett’s lawyers, clearly made an impact as Jussie was released from jail on Wednesday, March 16th. TMZ reported “There was a media circus Wednesday outside the Cook County Jail, with dozens of reporters and cameras waiting for Jussie to be released from custody … and he walked right by without saying a word… Jussie is being released from Cook County Jail on his own recognizance, but if he misses any future hearings [while he looks to overturn his case] it’ll cost him $150,000. It’s unclear when exactly he’ll be walking free.”
Although Jussie didn’t say anything to reporters, his legal representative was very vocal. Yahoo News reported the following:
Smollett defense attorney Nenye Uche, speaking to reporters outside the jail after Smollett left, said the Smollett family is “very very happy with today’s developments.” Uche said during his time at the jail, Smollett had not eaten and drank only water, though he did not say why.
He criticized the special prosecutor’s decision to charge Smollett again after the initial charges were dropped by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and he paid a fine. He also called Judge James Linn’s sentence excessive for a low-level felony, adding that the appellate court doesn’t “play politics.”
“The real question is: Should Black men be walked into jail for a class 4 felony? Shame on you if you think they should,” Uche said.
We’ll be on the look put for updates in the case.
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