Jussie Smollett’s appeal over hate crime hoax conviction will be heard by Illinois Supreme Court

2 minutes, 25 seconds Read

[ad_1]

Actor Jussie Smollett is interesting his 2021 disorderly conduct conviction, and the Illinois Supreme Court is about to listen to his case.

According to The Associated Press, the excessive court docket accepted Smollett’s appeal. There at present is not any date set for the Illinois Supreme Court to listen to Jussie’s appeal, per the outlet. 

Smollett filed a petition on Feb. 5, requesting the Illinois excessive court docket intervene in his ongoing authorized drama. The “Empire” actor’s conviction for a staged hate crime was upheld in December.

Jussie Smollett appears in court

Jussie Smollett’s appeal is about to be heard by the Illinois Supreme Court. (Nuccio DiNuzzo)

A jury beforehand discovered Smollett responsible on 5 of the six fees of disorderly conduct after an almost two-week trial in 2021. Smollett, who’s Black and homosexual, reported to Chicago police that he was the sufferer of a racist and homophobic assault by two males carrying ski masks in January 2019.

HOW JUSSIE SMOLLETT STAGED HIS HATE CRIME HOAX: ACCOMPLICES RETURN TO THE SCENE OF THE CRIME

Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail following his conviction. The actor was additionally sentenced to 30 months felony probation, restitution to the town of Chicago within the quantity of $120,106 and a high-quality of $25,000.

Jussie Smollett booking photo from jail

This reserving picture supplied by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office exhibits Jussie Smollett. A choose sentenced Jussie Smollett to 150 days in jail Thursday, March 10, 2022. (Cook County Sheriff’s Office through AP)

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

The “Empire” actor desires the conviction overturned. 

“What should have been a straightforward case has been complicated by the intersection of politics and public outrage,” Smollett’s attorneys wrote within the court docket submitting in February.

Jussie Smollett wears beige blazer with gold chains at BET awards

Jussie has maintained his innocence all through the trial, conviction and appeal. (Amy Sussman)

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

They repeated an argument from earlier appeals saying his 2021 trial violated his Fifth Amendment protections towards double jeopardy, or being punished twice for a similar crime. 

They stated he already carried out neighborhood service and forfeited a $10,000 bond as a part of a 2019 cope with the Cook County state’s legal professional’s workplace to drop the preliminary 16 counts of disorderly conduct.

Jussie Smollett in court

Jussie Smollett was seen leaving the Leighton Criminal Courthouse with unidentified siblings in Dec. 2021 in Chicago, following a verdict in his trial. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Smollett’s authorized workforce is arguing that the state breached a “nolle prose agreement,” or non-prosecution settlement, by indicting him once more within the hate crime hoax. 

In the settlement, Smollett had been advised he might carry out neighborhood service and forfeit his bond, and the case would be dismissed — just like a deferred prosecution. Instead, a grand jury restored the costs in 2020, and he was later convicted.

Fox News Digital’s Lauryn Overhultz and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[ad_2]

Source hyperlink

Similar Posts