Jussie Smollett's conviction overturned by Illinois Supreme Court

The Illinois Supreme Court overturned Jussie Smollett’s conviction for an alleged hate crime hoax on Thursday, ruling that the special prosecutor’s retrial violated his rights. The actor, best known for his role in Empire, had been convicted in December 2021 of five felony counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly staging a hate crime in 2019. He was initially sentenced to 150 days in jail, probation, and $130,000 in restitution.

The court’s decision stated, “What would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied.” Smollett’s initial charges were dropped in March 2019 after a deal with prosecutors, but a special prosecutor later refiled charges in 2020.

Special Prosecutor Dan Webb maintained that the Supreme Court’s decision did not dispute the overwhelming evidence presented at Smollett’s trial, stating, “This ruling has nothing to do with Mr. Smollett’s innocence.” Despite the legal controversies, Smollett remains active in Hollywood, recently directing and starring in the drama The Lost Holliday alongside Vivica A. Fox.

The case, which sparked significant public attention, remains a polarizing chapter in the debate over celebrity justice and systemic fairness in the legal system.