Jussie Smollett is released from jail after an appeals court agreed with his lawyers that he should be free pending the appeal of his conviction for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack.
Smollett walks out of the Cook County Jail after spending six nights behind bars, surrounded by security, and did not comment as he got into an awaiting SUV.
Smollett defense attorney Nenye Uche, speaking to reporters outside the jail after Smollett left, says the Smollett family is “very very happy with today’s developments.”
He criticizes the special prosecutor’s decision to charge Smollett again after the initial charges were dropped by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and he paid a fine.
“Let me make something clear: There is no room for politics in our court system and our appellate courts in this great state do not play politics,” Uche says.
The appeals court ruling came after a Cook County judge sentenced Smollett last week to immediately begin serving 150 days in jail for his conviction on five felony counts of disorderly conduct for lying to police. The appeals court said Smollett could be released after posting a personal recognizance bond of $150,000, meaning he doesn’t have to put down money but agrees to come to court as required.
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From the Liveblog of
Thursday, March 17, 2022
