Jussie Smollett

On Thursday evening, Mr. Smollett began serving a five-month sentence for falsely reporting a hate crime, a conviction he plans to appeal.

In addition to the jail time, Mr. Smollett was sentenced to more than two years of probation, plus a fine of $25,000 and restitution of more than $120,000 to offset the city’s cost in investigating the case. The defense had argued that the brothers carried out the attack to scare Mr. Smollett into hiring them as his security detail. Judge Linn cited several factors, including Mr. Smollett’s testimony on the witness stand, which the judge described as “pure perjury,” in explaining why he ordered some jail time. They did not mention in their arguments a concern about the specific realities of incarceration at the Chicago jail, which some social justice advocates have described as having a “culture of brutality and violence” in the highest security units. He was attacked.” - His Sentence: The actorwas sentenced to five months in jailafter pleas for leniencyfrom supporters. Mr. Webb said after the sentencing that he was struck by the extent to which Mr. Smollett was unwilling to express any remorse for the damage he had done. Analysts say it could take years for the case to come to an end. “Of course someone like that should be in protective custody.” In arguing for leniency at the hearing, Mr. Smollett’s lawyers had emphasized evidence of Mr. Smollett’s good character and said they supported his contention of innocence, urging he be given a new trial or, at the least, probation. The actor Jussie Smollett was found guilty in December of falsely reporting that he had been the victim of a racist and homophobic assault in 2019. “All you need to do is log onto various media, social media, to see some of the nasty things said about him,” Mr. Uche said.

The former Empire actor was convicted on five felony counts of lying to police, but he has maintained that he did not stage the 2019 attack in which he ...

"Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career," then Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson told reporters in February 2019. The jury found him guilty on five counts of felony disorderly conduct, but he was acquitted of a sixth count. Prosecutors asked the judge to sentence Smollett to "an appropriate amount of prison time." I ask you, the judge, not to send him to prison. He also must pay a fine of $25,000 and more than $120,000 in restitution to the city of Chicago. He pointed out that victims may be more hesitant to come forward as a result of Smollett's deception.