Jussie Smollett’s conviction overturned by Illinois Supreme Court

Jussie Smollett, the actor known for his role in Empire, is no longer facing a conviction. The Illinois Supreme Court overturned his 2021 guilty verdict. They ruled that Smollett’s rights were violated because prosecutors went back on a previous agreement.

This decision ends a long legal battle over an incident that began in January 2019. Smollett had claimed he was the victim of a hate crime. The story quickly made headlines, but police later said the attack was staged.

What Happened in 2019?

Smollett told Chicago police he was attacked near his apartment on January 29, 2019. He said two men assaulted him, used racist and homophobic slurs, and even placed a noose around his neck. According to Smollett, the attackers shouted, “This is MAGA country.”

However, the police found evidence suggesting the incident was not real. They claimed Smollett paid two brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, $3,500 to stage the attack. Investigators said Smollett hoped the story would gain him more fame and advance his career.

The First Plea Deal

In February 2019, a grand jury charged Smollett with filing a false police report. But just a month later, prosecutors dropped the charges. Smollett agreed to give up his $10,000 bond and perform 16 hours of community service.

This plea deal sparked controversy. Many people accused the prosecutors of favoritism. In response, Cook County District Attorney Kim Foxx appointed a special investigator to review the case.

The 2021 Trial

In June 2019, Smollett was charged again—this time with six counts of felony disorderly conduct for lying to police. His trial began in November 2021.

In December, a jury found him guilty on five of the six charges. Smollett received a sentence of 30 months of probation, including 150 days in jail. However, he only spent six days behind bars. A court allowed him to go free while his legal team appealed the decision.

Illinois Supreme Court Decision

Smollett’s legal team argued that charging him again after the 2019 plea deal was unfair. The Illinois Supreme Court agreed. They ruled that the prosecutors violated Smollett’s due process rights.

The court explained that once the state makes a deal, it must honor it. Smollett had completed his part of the bargain, so the second prosecution was not allowed.

Comparing to Bill Cosby’s Case

The court mentioned Bill Cosby’s overturned conviction in Pennsylvania as a similar example. Cosby, a famous comedian, was sentenced to prison for drugging and assaulting a woman in 2004. However, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court freed him in 2021. They ruled that Cosby’s due process rights had been violated because of a prior agreement with prosecutors.

Like Smollett’s case, the Cosby decision raised debates about justice and fairness in high-profile trials.

This ruling highlights how important legal agreements are in the justice system. Prosecutors cannot go back on their word after making a deal with a defendant.

For Jussie Smollett, this decision closes a controversial chapter in his life. While the public remains divided about his case, the court’s ruling sets a clear precedent for how plea deals should be handled in the future.