Jussie Smollett has been sentenced to 150 days in jail for mendacity to police a few racist and homophobic assault that he had staged on himself.
The actor – who was finest recognized for starring in Empire – loudly shouted after the sentencing: “I’m harmless. I might have mentioned I’m responsible a very long time in the past.”
Smollett has additionally been sentenced to 30 months of felony probation, and ordered to pay $120,106 (£91,753) in restitution – in addition to a $25,000 high-quality.
Jussie Smollett is led out of the courtroom after being jailed. Pic: AP
Prosecutors had alleged that the 39-year-old, who’s black and homosexual, had lied to officers when he informed them that he was accosted by two masked strangers on a darkish Chicago road in January 2019.
Smollett had claimed the attackers threw a noose round his neck and poured chemical substances on him whereas yelling racist and homophobic slurs – and that they expressed their assist for then president Donald Trump.
However the star was arrested a month later, and claimed Smollett paid two brothers $3,500 (£2,600) to stage the assault in an effort to lift his profile.
He pleaded not responsible to 6 counts of felony disorderly conduct – however a jury discovered him responsible of 5 of these counts again in December.
Throughout a sentencing listening to on Thursday, Smollett’s grandmother Molly had described him as a “justice warrior” – and the 92-year-old informed the courtroom: “I ask you, decide, to not ship him to jail. For those who do, ship me together with him, okay?”
His brother Joel additionally spoke in his defence, and mentioned Smollett was “not a risk to the individuals of Illinois”.
Molly Smollett requested to be despatched to jail alongside together with her grandson. Pic: AP
Legal professionals representing the actor additionally learn out letters of assist from a Black Lives Matter organiser, in addition to Samuel L Jackson, which requested the decide to contemplate the influence that jail time would have on his life and profession.
Others expressed fears that Smollett could be at risk in jail due to his race, sexual orientation and his household’s Jewish heritage.
Native officers mentioned the prices of investigating the actor’s allegations have been vital – however the influence that his false report had on “precise victims” of such crimes was immeasurable.
Prosecutors alleged that Smollett staged the assault to additional his performing profession – however he misplaced roles following his arrest. AP file pic
Previous to the sentencing, specialists had predicted that Smollett wouldn’t be despatched to jail as a result of he didn’t have an in depth legal historical past, and the conviction was for a low-level, non-violent crime.
Smollett had confronted a most of three years in jail for every of the 5 counts he was convicted of.
