Following nine hours of careful deliberation, the jury in the case of former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett found the defendant guilty on nearly all charges in relation to a hate crime hoax he orchestrated back in 2019.
Smollett was convicted on five out of a possible six counts of disorderly conduct. His sentencing has not yet been determined.
5 out of 6
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 9, 2021
Matt Finn of Fox News reports that the reason Smollett was able to get out of the “lying about aggravated battery,” charge is that his stunt attackers wore masks.
Smollett was found not guilty about lying about aggravated battery. That charge was because his attackers were wearing masks.
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 9, 2021
Smollett, in clear contempt of court, arrived late for his verdict, failing to adhere to a 30-minute break offered by the judge before handing down the ruling.
We are waiting for Jussie Smollett to return to the courthouse. So far no sign of him or his attorneys.
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 9, 2021
Smollett walking in for verdict pic.twitter.com/8KL9ilmH2e
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 9, 2021
Smollett, now convicted on five different class four felonies all related to false reporting to the police, are the least serious felonies on offer in Illinois, but each carries with it the potential for as much as three years in prison.
In January of 2019, Smollett contacted police after claiming to have been the subject of an anti-black, anti-gay hate crime orchestrated by supporters of then-president Donald Trump. He alleged that his attackers were white males who repeatedly shouted “This is MAGA country.” It turns out, the true attackers were the brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo. The men, both black, knew Smollett long before the incident and have confessed that Smollett was the mastermind behind the hoax.
The alleged ‘shakedown’ of Smollett involved loud shouts of racial and other slurs, a noose set loosely around his neck, pouring of bleach, and a minor kick to the ribs.
In October, Smollett tried unsuccessfully to get the charges against him dropped. Smollett’s attorney argued that since he already performed some level of community service and supplied the $10,000 bond, he should be let off.
James Linn, the Cook County Judge, denied Smollett’s request.
Last week, a creative, if histrionic attorney defending Smollett, tried to claim that Judge Linn “lunged” at her in the court, and demanded a mistrial. The stunt, along with her request, were quickly dismissed.
Author: Tara Schmidt
