Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett was convicted of staging a hate crime against himself on a cold Chicago night. He was found guilty on five counts of disorderly conduct and sentenced to 150 days. However, he spent only six days behind bars while continuing to maintain his innocence.
The Illinois Supreme Court has now overturned Smollett’s conviction. The court did not address whether the actor committed the crime but ruled that his constitutional rights were violated when he was prosecuted a second time after the original charges were dropped.
The state’s highest court has ordered the case against Smollett to be dismissed.
Joining Nancy Grace today: forensic expert Karen Smith, Los Angeles psychoanalyst Dr. Bethany Marshall, and Atlanta criminal lawyer Darryl Cohen.
[Feature Photo:”Empire” actor Jussie Smollet, stands before Cook County Circuit Court Judge Steven Watkins where he pled not guilty at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Chicago. Smollett pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges accusing him of lying to the police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in downtown Chicago a few weeks ago. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool)]
