Jussie Smollett asks Illinois high court to hear appeal of convictions for lying about hate crime
Actor Jussie Smollett has asked the Illinois Supreme Court to intervene in his yearslong legal battle stemming from charges that he staged a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and lied about it to Chicago police.
Illinois appeals court hears arguments on Jussie Smollett request to toss convictions
Jussie Smollett’s lawyers have told an Illinois appellate court that it should toss the former “Empire” actor’s convictions for staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and then lying about it to Chicago police.
EXPLAINER: What charges did Jussie Smollett face at trial?
The legal saga surrounding Jussie Smollett’s claim in 2019 that he was the target of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago culminated Thursday in his sentencing to 150 days in jail and being ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago.
Black juror: Smollett's reaction to noose makes no sense
The lone Black juror on the panel that convicted Jussie Smollett of lying to Chicago police about what authorities say was a staged hate crime says he cannot get past how the actor put a noose around his neck when officers were coming to interview him.
In and outside court, Smollett fights for reputation, career
As Jussie Smollett fights criminal charges that he lied to Chicago police about being the victim of an anti-gay, racist attack, his supporters are also working on a broader strategy: Ensuring the 39-year-old emerges from the scandal with his reputation and career intact, whatever the outcome of the trial.
Hunt still on for suspects in ransacking of Chicago stores
FILE In this Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, file photo, Kajal Dalal walks through the her family's food and liquor store after it was vandalized in downtown Chicago. A Chicago police task force that was formed after crowds swarmed into downtown and smashed their way into hundreds of stores in August is still investigating and making arrests four months later. They keep adding to the nearly 100 video clips they've posted online in the hopes someone might identify suspects. “The message (to suspects) is the task force isn’t quitting ... and you will eventually be found and arrested,” Deputy Chief Brendan Deenihan said. Just as detectives stitched together videos to follow two men who allegedly participated in the attack on Smollett, Looting Task Force detectives followed suspects as they moved from store to store.
Review cites 'operational failures' in Smollett prosecution
“There were not thousands of (or, arguably any) similar cases” resolved by Foxx's office the way they resolved Smollett’s case, Webb said. And Smollett, Webb noted, was able to walk away without admitting any wrongdoing. Webb said Foxx began speaking to her before suspicions were raised that Jussie Smollett may have staged the attack on himself. “State’s Attorney Foxx then made false statements to the media claiming she ceased all communications with Ms. Smollett,” Webb concluded. The alleged false statements started to pile up.
Foxx touts record as Smollett case engulfs Illinois primary
“The Jussie Smollett case was a pebble in the giant boulder of her career. She isn’t getting a fair shake.”Foxx is counting on more voters like Smith as she seeks a second term against three Democratic primary challengers who've seized on the Smollett case and a fractured relationship with police. Things worsened when the Smollett charges were dropped. Still, the Smollett case does resonate with some. Chicagoan Demetrius Williams, 35, voted for Foxx before but thinks Smollett got off easy and will support Conway.
Judge rules on motions in Smollett case
CHICAGO - A Chicago judge Wednesday denied a request by Jussie Smollett's lawyers that a replacement judge be assigned in the former "Empire" actor's special prosecutor case, in addition to rejecting other motions put forward by Smollett's team. Judge Michael Toomin also denied a motion asking that Smollett's lawyers be allowed to intervene and argue other motions during the court appearance. Smollett's lawyers had hoped to use the brothers' testimony to reveal inconsistencies in their stories, as they are the only two witnesses in the case. Bodycam footage yields new detailsNo timeline has been provided for when Toomin will select a special prosecutor. In the case of a formal recusal, Toomin wrote, the court would have been responsible for appointing a special prosecutor.