Non-Prosecution Agreement Cited in Ruling
The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned actor Jussie Smollett’s conviction related to his 2019 false hate crime report to Chicago police, citing issues with a prior non-prosecution agreement.
Smollett, known for his role in the TV series Empire, had been sentenced in 2022 to 150 days in jail and 30 months of probation after being found guilty on five counts of felony disorderly conduct. However, the court ruled that Smollett should not have been charged in the first place, as he had already entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the Cook County State Attorney’s Office.
Timeline of Events
- January 2019: Smollett reported being attacked in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, claiming the assault was motivated by his race and sexual orientation.
- Investigation Findings: Chicago police later alleged that Smollett orchestrated the attack with the help of two brothers, Olabingo and Abimbola Osundairo, who had worked on the Empire set.
- 2022 Conviction: Smollett was sentenced after being found guilty of fabricating the incident.
- 2024 Supreme Court Ruling: The conviction was overturned due to the earlier agreement with prosecutors, rendering the charges invalid.
Smollett Maintains His Innocence
Throughout the trial, Smollett has consistently denied staging the attack, testifying that he was indeed assaulted that night. The overturned conviction reignites public debate over the case, with many questioning how legal agreements influence high-profile investigations.
