In a major legal turn, the Illinois Supreme Court has overturned Jussie Smollett’s 2021 conviction.
The former “Empire” star had been found guilty of orchestrating a fake hate crime and reporting it to Chicago police.
The court’s ruling highlighted that retrying Smollett after his initial charges were dismissed violated his due process rights.
The opinion stated, “A second prosecution under these circumstances is a due process violation, and we therefore reverse defendant’s conviction.”
The Backstory
In 2019, Smollett, who is Black and gay, claimed he was attacked by two men who hurled racist and homophobic slurs before placing a noose around his neck.
Investigators later determined Smollett staged the attack, allegedly paying two brothers $3,500 to carry it out.
Initially, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx dismissed all 16 charges against Smollett in April 2019.
However, a special prosecutor, Dan Webb, was appointed later that year to review the case.
Webb pursued new charges, which led to Smollett’s 2021 conviction on five counts of disorderly conduct.
Legal Fallout
The Illinois Supreme Court’s decision rested on the argument that the state violated an agreement made during the first dismissal.
The ruling referenced a similar precedent in Bill Cosby’s overturned conviction, emphasizing the importance of upholding prosecutorial promises and constitutional rights.
The court acknowledged the public outcry surrounding Smollett’s case but firmly stated, “Society’s interest in prosecution does not displace the remedy due to constitutionally aggrieved persons.”
What’s Next For Jussie Smollett?
Smollett was originally sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation, and over $130,000 in restitution.
He served just six days of his sentence before his legal team appealed the conviction.
While this ruling clears his name in the eyes of the law, Smollett’s case remains a polarizing chapter in public discourse, drawing comparisons to other high-profile legal battles.
Stay tuned for further updates on Jussie Smollett and his ongoing legal journey.
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