The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned Jussie Smollett’s 2021 conviction for allegedly staging a hate crime. In a ruling delivered on Thursday, November 21, the court declared it “fundamentally unfair” for prosecutors to revive charges against the actor after an earlier deal had been struck in 2019.
The court’s decision centers on the principle that the State must honor agreements made with defendants. Back in 2019, Smollett agreed to pay $10,000
R183,062.84 and perform community service in exchange for dropped charges. However, a special prosecutor reopened the case, leading to his conviction two years later.
In its decision, the court stated, “It is fundamentally unfair to allow the prosecution to renege on a deal with a defendant when the defendant has relied on the agreement to his detriment.” The ruling also acknowledged the intense public scrutiny surrounding the case, emphasizing that adhering to the fairness of legal agreements is more critical than public opinion.
Smollett’s attorney, Nenye Uche, expressed gratitude for the ruling, stating it restores fairness and order to Illinois’ criminal law system.
The actor, best known for his role in Empire, had faced widespread backlash following accusations that he fabricated a racist, homophobic attack in 2019. This latest development may mark the final chapter in a case that sparked national debate over justice and public perception.
Comments