# All Charges Against Jussie Smollett Dropped. Er, updated tried and sentenced **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 26, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562 "2019-03-26T15:28:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2022, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/301 "2022-03-12T00:28:11Z")
This trial was over a long time ago. Not sure why it dragged on like it did. I just don’t understand why he keeps saying he’s innocent. It can’t be good for his career. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2022, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/302 "2022-03-12T00:34:46Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I always insist on stale bread in case I ever need an impromptu weapon. A friend of mine who was a Crown prosecutor once did get an information from the police, alleging “assault with a weapon, to wit, a ham sandwich.” Barrom brawl that ended when the cops came. I think the Crown stayed the charge. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2022, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/303 "2022-03-12T13:15:40Z")
Here’s an opinion piece written by States Attorney Kim Foxx. This is her opinion, not mine. "When the preliminary investigation suggested that significant portions of his story appeared untrue, many of the specific details quickly found their way into the public sphere. Almost immediately there were leaks to the press, causing the Chicago Police Department to launch an internal investigation. Then-Supt. Eddie Johnson flew to New York City for a live interview on Good Morning America to discuss the evidence and Mr. Smollett’s assumed guilt prior to formal charges being filed. Given the reputational price Smollett paid, the $10,000 bond we held, and the fact that he’d never been accused of a violent crime, my office made the decision not to further pursue a criminal conviction. This story should have ended there, as thousands upon thousands of non-prosecuted cases do every day." > **[Kim Foxx: In Jussie Smollett case, our justice system failed. Here’s how and...](https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/3/10/22971657/jussie-smollett-case-our-justice-system-failed-states-attorney-kim-foxx-op-ed)** > > The tactics used are becoming common when cases involve progressive prosecutors. I worry it will serve as a deterrent to the next generation of prosecutors eager to fight for critical reforms. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2022, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/304 "2022-03-12T13:53:53Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Here’s an opinion piece written by States Attorney Kim Foxx. This is her opinion, not mine. Eh, I suppose those mothers who are awaiting justice don’t deserve to have some entitled celebrity use being a victim of violence as publicity stunt. Though it’s true, prosecuting some bullshit incident takes resources away from prosecuting the serious stuff. And it is also true that prosecutors should not defer to opinion-makers when exercising discretion, and celebrity suspects/victims/witnesses should not get different treatment, pro or con. But the way Team Smollett insists on that he is, too, a victim of violence, is suggestive that he would have continued to milk it. Serms like now he is going to brand himself as having been a victim of injustice and picked on just to make an example. (Although, however unfairly, by bringing up “progressive prosecutors” Foxx risks contributing to the narrative that these just don’t want to prosecute anything where there weren’t shots fired or blood on the ground.) ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2022, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/305 "2022-03-12T14:05:09Z")
I have to agree. Overall, I think the piece shows a blindness to certain kinds of privilege (wealth and celebrity) and unfairly taints the earnest work of progressive prosecutors. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2022, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/306 "2022-03-13T06:04:46Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Here’s an opinion piece written by States Attorney Kim Foxx. Wow. This full on disgusts me. She really thinks that someone falsely alleging a hate crime is something to not bother prosecuting. She somehow doesn’t get that this would embolded others to claim that such allegations were fake. This guy didn’t just falsely allege the crime. He manufactured it. Surely you should want to prosecute someone, same as you would prosecute someone who paid people to attempt to rape them, lest they embolden rape apologists. And she mentions progressive prosecutors, acting like anyone who was remotely progressive would be okay with emboldening hate crimes like this. And all to cover up for what is alleged, which is that she showed favoritism to the guy because she knew him, and that the $10,000 bond was not really bond (as bond is supposed to be paid back) but a bribe to not prosecute. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2022, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/307 "2022-03-13T09:56:10Z")
Yes, disgusting. And apparently entirely consistent with how Foxx has performed in her current job. Which is why a lot of people in this area would like to see someone else in that job. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2022, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/308 "2022-03-13T13:49:54Z")
I agree. Hard to compare Smollett’s high profile “hate crime” allegation with some anonymous false report. And tho I think incarceration inappropriate, I do feel there is value in an official judgment that he did wrong. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2022, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/309 "2022-03-13T23:16:15Z")
Now he’s been moved to the psych ward. I hope he gets the help he needs. [Jussie Smollett placed in psych ward at Cook County jail, brother says | Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/jussie-smollett-psych-ward-cook-county-jail) ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/310 "2022-03-14T17:14:00Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > and the fact that he’d never been accused of a violent crime, my office made the decision not to further pursue a criminal conviction. Not just this case, but this argument always pisses me off. We let someone off this time and then they commit (allegedly) another crime. Where upon we hear “and the fact that he’d never been convicted of a violent crime, my office made the decision not to further pursue a criminal conviction.” ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/311 "2022-03-14T17:18:57Z")
I don’t understand the her continuing to defend him at this point, I estimate that 90% of America is against Smolett at this point and only 2% of that remaining 10% actually thinks he’s legitimately innocent. This is the one court case where I’m pretty sure all of America United in finding Smollett full of shit. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/312 "2022-03-16T04:39:42Z")
> **[Jussie Smollett Moved to New Cell Amid Push for Emergency Release](https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/jussie-smollett-emergency-release-filing-1321102/)** > > Disturbing call allegedly received by Smollett’s sibling, leading to the emergency release request, appears to invoke the 1997 police assault on Abner Louima by a disgraced NYPD officer in Brooklyn… The obvious solution is to put him in solitary so he has no contact with other prisoners–and thus can’t be harmed by them. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/313 "2022-03-16T14:51:11Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > The obvious solution is to put him in solitary so he has no contact with other prisoners Also give him a tinfoil hat so he can’t claim that he’s being harmed psychically. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/314 "2022-03-16T19:25:40Z")
His brother says: > “He is very stable, he is very strong, he is very healthy and ready to take on the challenge that ultimately has been put up against him,” The court filing says: > The lawyers, who are pursuing an appeal, further argue that Smollett’s detention in court-ordered protective custody is essentially “solitary confinement” and could inflict “extraordinary damage on his mental health.” They also claim Smollett has a “compromised immune system,” so his “potential exposure” to Covid-19 while in custody also raises a “serious health risk.” One of these is not like the other. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/315 "2022-03-16T19:41:33Z")
I will at least agree that solitary confinement is too severe, even if it’s just a side effect of protective custody. Solitary confinement is harsh. Were I the judge, I’d probably order him a psych eval to clear him for house arrest. He didn’t hurt anybody. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/316 "2022-03-16T19:46:56Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I will at least agree that solitary confinement is too severe, even if it’s just a side effect of protective custody. Solitary confinement is harsh. I can’t imagine a situation where I would be in prison and _not_ want solitary confinement. Why would I want to wade in the dregs of society? ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/317 "2022-03-16T21:12:06Z")
It really depends how social you are. If you’re in protective custody or segregated not because of bad behavior, being stuck in my cell for 22.5 hours a day with a few books sounds pretty pleasant. But most prisoners aren’t the solitary reading type and the only thing they have looking forward to every single day is hanging out and talking with people. Not to mention from what I understand if you get thrown in solitary for bad behavior you get no books except the Bible because it’s a punishment and then that’s when you start going crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/318 "2022-03-16T21:43:00Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > the only thing they have looking forward to every single day is hanging out and talking with people Wonderful conversations with murderers, rapists, child molestors, and such? ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/319 "2022-03-16T23:20:54Z")
> **[Solitary confinement should be banned in most cases, UN expert says](https://news.un.org/en/story/2011/10/392012)** > > A United Nations expert on torture today called on all countries to ban the solitary confinement of prisoners except in very exceptional circumstances and for as short a time as possible, with an absolute prohibition in the case of juveniles and... ---
**Author:** ![KMS94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ad7895/32.png) [@KMS94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KMS94)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2022, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562/320 "2022-03-17T00:13:04Z")
New twist. > **[Jussie Smollett freed from jail pending appeal, court orders](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jussie-smollett-freed-jail-pending-appeal-court-orders-rcna20376)** > > The "Empire" actor was sentenced to 150 days in jail last week after he was convicted of lying about a hate crime in a case that roiled Chicago. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-charges-against-jussie-smollett-dropped-er-updated-tried-and-sentenced/831562.md?page=17)