Actor Jussie Smollett’s appeal to have his convictions for staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and lying about it to Chicago police thrown out will be heard by an Illinois appeals court. Smollett was convicted in 2021 on five counts of disorderly conduct and acquitted on a sixth count. His lawyers argue that the trial violated his Fifth Amendment protections against double jeopardy, pointing to previous community service and bond forfeiture as part of a deal with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. A ruling is expected in several weeks, and if the appeal fails, Smollett will have to serve jail time.
Source: theGrio [ Read More ]
