Posted on 09/12/2023 1:15:16 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
Jussie Smollett's lawyers told an Illinois appellate court Tuesday it should toss the former “Empire” actor’s convictions for staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and then lying about it to Chicago police, arguing that anger over the case led to properly dismissed charges being improperly restored.
Smollett, foregoing his usual three-piece suits in favor of a casual beige jacket and blue jeans, slipped into court for the hour-long oral arguments Tuesday and sat on spectator benches. He seemed to listen intently, leaning forward to follow the debate before the three-judge panel.
Smollett, 41, didn't speak to reporters after the hearing, and Chicago TV station WGN showed footage of him from behind leaving the court building via an alley, wearing a hat and different coat.
“Public outrage against the defendant cannot overrule the rule of law,” one of his lawyers, Nenye Uche, told the panel — referring to how public perception of Smollett turned after police said he created a crime and wasn't a victim of one.
Uche added that many of the issues surrounding the appeal and Smollett's prosecution boil down to the question: “Is it fair?”
If the appeal before the Chicago-based First District Appellate Court fails, Smollett will have to finish a 150-day stint in jail that his trial judge ordered during his 2022 sentencing. Smollett spent just six days in jail before his release pending the outcome of the appeal. A ruling is expected to take several weeks.
SNIP
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
he made false statements against people like me...
he deserves jail time.
This fool again. Taking up more time in the courts.
Still wedded to the lie.
How’s your acting career going Jussie? Phone ringing off the hook?
Cannot the appeals court add time to the sentence??
He also should count himself very lucky that the deep staters in the FBI made sure he didn’t get charged with terroristic threats for the powder-filled letters he mailed to his workplace in a previous hoax. He’d be doing a lot more than 150 days in jail for that one.
Just because you did it doesn’t mean you’re guilty.
The sentence is a joke. Hate crime hoaxers should be treated as domestic terrorists.
“Your. honor, you should overturn my conviction because my prosecution is clearly racist.
The FIX was in because of my black skin so all charges were dropped and I was supposed to get off scot free.
Then White Honky busy-bodies complained and charges were reinstated.
So you see, your honor, my prosecution and subsequent conviction is clearly another case of white racists railroading a black man because his skin is black.
Just because I really am guilty doesn’t matter.
Those white Honkies should be charged with a Hate Crime and put in prison!”
The guy is a sick narcissist. The attorneys probably laugh at him every time they see him. But Ím sure they will be happy to take his money.
Justice for Juicy! Justice for Juicy!
Well, Jussie Smollett’s black and Chicago’s a corrupt democrat city... I’m betting he gets a pass.
He won’t serve another day in jail.
I question the wisdom of an unemployed actor spending this much money on lawyers. Maybe he has a benefactor or two.
Let’s see, he’s close friends with the Obamas, and Oprah, and a bunch of Hollywood folks. I’d say his legal bills aren’t an issue. These bottom feeders stick together.
Hollywood hasn’t given him an acting gig since his scandal. I’m surprised but happy.
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