SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Supreme Court overturned actor Jussie Smollett’s conviction on Thursday for allegedly staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself and lying to the Chicago police in 2019. The court ruled that Smollett should not have faced charges a second time after reaching a deal with prosecutors. The decision, which did not address Smollett’s claims of innocence, marks a major development in a long-running saga that gained international attention.
The court found that a special prosecutor should not have intervened after Smollett agreed to a deal with the Cook County state’s attorney, resulting in charges being dropped in exchange for forfeiture of a $10,000 bond and community service. There was significant public outrage over the original deal, which did not require Smollett to apologize or admit guilt for the incident.
Smollett, known for his role on the television drama “Empire,” was accused of fabricating the attack due to dissatisfaction with how the studio handled hate mail he had received. Testimony during the trial revealed that Smollett had paid two acquaintances from “Empire” $3,500 to carry out the hoax. Smollett maintained his innocence, stating that he was a victim of a hate crime.
Upon the court’s ruling, Smollett’s attorney expressed his client’s relief at the decision but also conveyed disappointment in the unfair process. Calls were made to investigate how the situation unfolded and prevent similar incidents in the future. Former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb, the special prosecutor in the case, disagreed with the court’s decision, emphasizing that it did not relate to Smollett’s innocence.
After the initial charges against Smollett were dropped by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, public criticism ensued, culminating in the appointment of Webb as special prosecutor. Following his 2021 conviction on five counts of disorderly conduct, Smollett served six days in jail before being released pending appeal. The court’s decision has sparked renewed discussion surrounding the case’s handling and potential implications for future prosecutorial discretion.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx defended her office’s actions in the case, stating that while unpopular, they were proper. She criticized the subsequent legal actions taken by Webb and underscored the importance of respecting prosecutorial discretion. The outcome of the case has reignited debates on the role of prosecutors in the criminal justice system and the potential consequences of challenging their decisions.
As the legal proceedings continue, new Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke declined to comment on the court’s decision. Smollett, a former child actor who found fame on “Empire,” attributes much of his career success to the series. Despite the legal controversies, he has continued to work in the entertainment industry, recently appearing in the movie “The Lost Holliday” alongside Vivica A. Fox.