Jussie Smollett, the actor best known for his role in Empire, has had his conviction overturned, five years after he was first arrested for staging a hate crime. In 2022, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail and fined $145,000 (£110,000) for falsely reporting a hate crime.
In December 2021, the actor was convicted on five charges for lying to Chicago police about being attacked in 2019. The incident initially gained national attention after Smollett claimed two masked men attacked him in a racist and homophobic assault, referencing the “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) slogan associated with then-President Donald Trump.
However, Illinois judges have now ruled that Smollett’s rights were violated during the trial, leading them to overturn his conviction.
The case began in January 2019, when Smollett reported being assaulted at around 2 a.m. in Chicago. He alleged the attackers punched him, poured a chemical substance on him, and placed a rope around his neck. Smollett also claimed the attackers made derogatory comments linked to MAGA.
In the aftermath of the alleged attack, several celebrities, including Viola Davis, Janelle Monae, and Steve Harvey, showed their support for Smollett. His Empire co-stars, including Grace Byers and Naomi Campbell, also rallied behind him.
However, the case took a turn when Smollett refused to provide his phone to police, which was seen as crucial for confirming the details of the incident. After police launched an investigation, they determined that Smollett had orchestrated the attack with two men, leading to charges of filing a false report.
Now, with the reversal of his conviction, the legal saga continues to raise questions about the fairness of the trial and the justice process.
