Jussie Smollett believes there’s one overarching reason he was sent to jail, and it’s not because of the hoax … he says it’s because he’s Black.
via: Page Six
Jussie Smollett has been sentenced to five months behind bars for staging a hate crime in Chicago, and reportedly believes his race was a determining factor in his sentencing.
The actor, 39, best known for his role on Fox drama “Empire” told his defense team before sentencing that he expected jail time and believed he’d be treated more harshly for the non-violent offense than others convicted of similar crimes due to the color of his skin, sources told TMZ.
For Smollett, it’s further evidence of systemic racism in the judicial system.
He reportedly told his team he was “dead on” in predicting the outcome, calling it “unfortunate” and “sad.”
Judge James Linn sentenced Smollett to 30 months of probation, the first five of which he must spend in the Cook County jail, and ordered him to pay the city of Chicago $120,000 in restitution and a $25,000 fine after he was found guilty on five counts of felony disorderly conduct following his eight-day trial late last year.
While Smollett declined to speak before his sentence was handed down, he immediately began to proclaim his innocence as he was led away in handcuffs following Judge Linn’s decision.
“I’m innocent! I could’ve said I was guilty a long time ago!” Smollett stated in court.
“I am not suicidal. I am innocent and I’m not suicidal. If I did this, then it means that I shoved my fist in the fears of Black Americans in this country for over 400 years and the fears of the LGBTQ community,” Smollett shouted.
“Your honor, I respect you and I respect your decision, but I did not do this and I am not suicidal and if anything happens to me when I go there, I did not do it to myself and you must all know that.”
Hoping Jussie finds some peace.
