After being sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of felony probation, and over $100K in fines, Jussie Smollett maintained that he was harmless earlier than being escorted out of the courtroom room.
Jussie Smollett, 39, insisted that he’s harmless after being sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of felony probation, and ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution and a $25,000 nice by Chicago’s Choose James Linn on Thursday, March 10. Instantly after the sentencing, Smollett addressed the courtroom room the place he yelled he’s not “suicidal.”
“I'm not suicidal,” Jussie stated in a dramatic style. “I'm not suicidal. I'm harmless and I'm not suicidal. If I did this then it means I caught my fist within the fears of Black People on this nation for over 400 years, and the fears of the LGBT neighborhood,” he stated within the surprising second.
Jussie Smollett after the sentencing: “I'm not suicidal. If something occurs to me once I go in there, you could all know that.” pic.twitter.com/xe2wYpQJ4O
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) March 11, 2022
“Your honor I respect you and I respect the jury, however I didn't do that and I'm not suicidal. And if something occurs to me once I go in there, I didn't do it to myself and you could all know that. I respect you, your honor. I respect your choice. … I'm not suicidal,” he added.
Per Choose Linn, his jail sentence is ready to start instantly. Jussie solely obtained a part of what might have been three years in jail for the scandal. It was additionally made clear that the previous Empire star might attraction the choice. Notably, he was discovered responsible in Dec. 2021.
🚨BREAKING: Jussie Smollett SCREAMS in rage at sentencing Choose as he is handcuffed and despatched to JAIL for FAKING a hate crime pic.twitter.com/BkQjtuyf5l
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) March 11, 2022
Smollett has been topic to controversy surrounding the case, which began after he staged a hate crime in opposition to himself by paying brothers Abimbola “Bola” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo $3500 to assault him in 2019. Through the alleged assault, Jussie claimed the 2 males put a noose round his neck, poured bleach on him and had been carrying “MAGA” hats to indicate their assist for former President Donald Trump. In Dec. 2021, Jussie admitted he had taken medication and engaged in mutual masturbation with Abimbola after assembly at a membership in the course of the fourth season of Empire.
Previous to delivering the sentencing, Choose Linn gave a prolonged assertion detailing Jussie’s historical past and crimes, in addition to pertaining to his previous advocacy work in opposition to racial injustice. “You wished to make your self extra well-known. Why would you betray social justice points which you care a lot about? I consider that you just did actual harm to hate crime victims,” the choose stated. “I discover that your excessive premeditation is an aggravating issue on this case…you’ve turned your self to riches to rags…your very identify has grow to be an adverb for mendacity,” he additionally stated in entrance of Jussie, his household and his authorized staff.