Jussie Smollett sentenced in 2019 hate crime hoax
Jussie Smollett learned his long-awaited fate when he was sentenced on Thursday after being convicted last year of staging a hate crime against himself and lying about it to Chicago law enforcement. When Smollett returned to Cook County court on Thursday – after much back-and-forth by his defense team and prosecutors over four hours – he was sentenced to thirty months felony probation, restitution to the city of Chicago in the amount of $120,106, a fine of $25,000, and 150 days in the Cook County Jail. Asked if he wanted to take the stand prior to his sentencing, "No your honor I don’t want to say anything.Thank you." Smollett’s defense team, helmed by lead defense attorney Nenye Uche, tried to get the conviction thrown out by pointing out what they allege was a bevy of "flagrant errors" that worked against the actor during the course of the Smollett trial. Counsel team member Tina Glandian said Smollett's rights were violated and also brought up the idea that "the charges should have been dismissed" given the fact that the Smollett case was initially dismissed and Smollett was given community service and forfeited $10,000.