Following his sentencing, Jussie Smollett’s first mugshot was released.
On Thursday, March 10, the former “Empire” star was sentenced to 30 months of felony probation, including 150 days in jail, as well as $120,000 in restitution and a $25,000 fine for falsely reporting to police that he was the victim of a hate crime in January 2019.
Jussie Smollett’s mugshot, acquired by TMZ, shows him with a stone-faced expression.
After fabricating false reports about the hoax attack carried out by two Nigerian brothers he had hired, Jussie, 39, was found guilty of five counts of felony disorderly conduct in December.
Cook County Judge James Linn branded the Black and homosexual actor a narcissistic charlatan during the sentencing, accusing him of inventing a hate crime against himself to attract attention while the country grappled with terrible issues of racial injustice. Smollett retaliated by adamantly defending his innocence and implying that he could be murdered in prison.
“If I did this, it means I tapped into the concerns of Black Americans in this country for over 400 years, as well as the fears of the LGBT community,” Smollett said, rising from his seat at the defense table.
“I respect you, Your Honor, and I respect the jury, but I did not do this.” I’m also not suicidal. And if something bad happens to me while I’m in there, it’s not my fault. And I’m sure you’re all aware of it.”
Smollett yelled again as he was escorted out of the courthouse by deputies.
He screamed, raising his fist, “I am innocent!” “I should’ve admitted my guilt a long time ago.”
Smollett was sentenced to 30 months of felony probation and 150 days in Cook County Jail, as well as $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago and a $25,000 fine by the judge.
Dan Webb, a special prosecutor, asked Linn to include “an appropriate amount of prison time” in his sentencing recommendations.
After the hearing, Webb stated, “His behaviour denigrated hate crimes.” “His actions will deter other hate crime victims from coming forward and reporting their crimes to law enforcement.”
Smollett’s lawyers argued that he had already been punished by the criminal justice system and suffered professional damage, therefore the judge should limit the punishment to community service.
Last year, a jury of six men and six women heard testimony from brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who said Smollett urged them to plan the attack and paid them $3,500 to do so.
Smollett’s brother, Jojo Smollett, expressed his disappointment with the verdict at a press conference following the sentencing.
“My brother was humiliated by him. He mentioned his arrogance “According to Jojo Smollett. “He has no idea how difficult my brother’s situation is. He doesn’t have a clue what he’s up against.”
The actor’s sister, Jazz Smollett, called the judgment a “miscarriage of justice.”
Smollett’s sister stated, “My brother is innocent.” “Because it is the absolute truth, this should not be a contentious statement.”
Smollett’s “actions denigrated hate crimes,” according to Special Prosecutor Daniel Webb, who said he was “extraordinarily happy” with the punishment. “He certainly has grasped… that this was a series of conduct that required serious punishment,” Webb said of the judge’s comments.