In a stunning turn of events, Jussie Smollett, the infamous actor and hate crime hoaxer, is facing the cold, hard reality of returning to jail. An Illinois Appellate Court has ruled against his appeal, upholding his convictions for disorderly conduct and the related jail sentences, stemming from the notorious “this is MAGA country” hate crime hoax.
Smollett’s fall from grace began in 2021 when he was found guilty of filing a false police report over the incident. He concocted a story that two supposed white attackers, as he returned from a Subway in the dead of night in February 2019, had targeted him with racial slurs and placed a noose around his neck. However, the truth soon emerged, revealing that the entire incident had been meticulously staged.
With the appellate court’s decision to uphold his convictions, Smollett is now facing a return to jail to serve the remainder of his 150-day sentence. This sentence was handed down for the five felony counts of disorderly conduct he was charged with, a punishment commonly reserved for those who lie to the police in Illinois. Having served just six days in jail while his appeal was pending, Smollett has 144 days left to serve.
Despite this setback, Smollett’s legal team remains undeterred. His spokeswoman, Holly Baird, has announced their intention to take the appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court, stating, “We are preparing to escalate this matter to the Supreme Court.”
Appellate Justice Freddrenna Lyle was the lone voice in favor of Smollett, arguing that it was “fundamentally unfair” for him to be investigated and charged after he had seemingly struck a deal to close the case with Cook County prosecutors in 2019. Lyle contended that Smollett had believed he was negotiating for a complete resolution of the matter, not merely a temporary one.
However, the other two appellate justices, David Navarro and Mary Ellen Coghlan, disagreed with Lyle’s interpretation. They asserted that there was no evidence of a non-prosecution deal between Smollett and the prosecutors, stating, “The record does not contain any evidence that (prosecutors) agreed Smollett would not be further prosecuted in exchange for forfeiting his bond and performing community service.”
The news of Smollett’s impending return to jail has brought about a wave of reactions, particularly from those who view the actor’s actions with disdain. Many took to social media to express their satisfaction, with conservative personality Collin Rugg remarking, “JUST IN: Hoaxer Jussie Smollett lost his appeal and is going back to jail after an appeals court affirmed his disorderly conduct conviction. Good. Keep him there.” Rugg also reminded the public of the fabricated hate crime that Smollett orchestrated to tarnish the reputation of Trump supporters.
The renewed interest in Smollett’s case also led to a resurgence of tweets from public figures who had previously expressed support for him during the initial controversy. Some users highlighted the 2019 tweet from Vice President Kamala Harris, in which she referred to the incident as an “attempted modern-day lynching.” The tweet, now widely criticized, suggested a rush to judgment before the truth came to light.
As the legal battle continues, the saga of Jussie Smollett serves as a stark reminder of the consequences one may face for attempting to deceive the justice system and manipulate public sentiment. While his supporters may cling to the hope of a favorable outcome in the Illinois Supreme Court, the verdict of the appellate court stands as a powerful indictment of his actions, reinforcing the principle that justice should be blind, impartial, and free from manipulation, regardless of one’s celebrity status.
