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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Supreme Court will hear an appeal of actor Jussie Smollett's disorderly conduct conviction for staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019, then lying to Chicago police about it. The court on Wednesday accepted the appeal from Smollett, formerly a cast member of the television drama “Empire.” It will review a December state appellate court ruling that upheld his 2021 conviction by a Cook County jury. A special prosecutor refiled charges against Smollett after Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx dropped the case and Smollett forfeited his $10,000 bond and conducted community service, which Smollett argues ended the case. Testimony at his trial indicated Smollett paid $3,500 to two men whom he knew from “Empire,” which was filmed in Chicago, to carry out the attack. ___Check out the Associated Press' complete coverage of the Jussie Smollett case.

Persons: Jussie, Kim Foxx, Smollett, Freddrenna Lyle, ”, Donald Trump's Organizations: Ill, Chicago, Smollett, Associated Press Locations: SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Chicago, Cook, MAGA

His petition, filed Monday, asks the state's highest court to hear the case two months after an appeals court upheld his disorderly conduct convictions and sentence. He was sentenced to five months in jail, but was released pending appeal of his conviction and sentence. The state Supreme Court could take the case or let the lower court's decision stand. A grand jury subsequently restored charges against Smollett in 2020. In arguments before the Illinois Appellate Court last year, Smollett challenged the role of a special prosecutor, jury selection, evidence and other aspects of the case.

Persons: Jussie Smollett, Smollett, ”, Donald Trump’s Organizations: CHICAGO, Chicago police, Smollett, Authorities, Prosecutors Locations: Illinois, Chicago, Cook, MAGA

An appeals court upheld the disorderly conduct convictions Friday of actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of staging a racist, homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and lying about it to Chicago police. Smollett, who appeared in the TV show “Empire,” challenged the role of a special prosecutor, jury selection, evidence and many other aspects of the case. But all were turned aside in a 2-1 opinion from the Illinois Appellate Court. “We are preparing to escalate this matter to the Supreme Court,” Smollett spokeswoman Holly Baird said, referring to Illinois' highest court and also noting that the opinion at the appellate court wasn't unanimous. ___More AP coverage of the Jussie Smollett case: https://apnews.com/hub/jussie-smollett

Persons: Jussie Smollett, Smollett, ”, Donald Trump’s, Holly Baird, wasn't, Freddrenna Lyle, ” Lyle, Dan Webb, Webb, David Navarro, Mary Ellen Coghlan, ___ Organizations: Chicago police, Authorities, Prosecutors, Smollett, Cook Locations: Chicago, Illinois, MAGA

If the appeal before the Chicago-based First District Appellate Court fails, Smollett would have to finish a 150-day stint in jail that his trial judge ordered during his 2022 sentencing. Smollett spent just six days in jail before his release pending the outcome of the appeal. In the appeal, Smollett’s legal team says chief prosecutor Kim Foxx’s office used proper discretion to drop the original charges four years ago. Authorities said Smollett paid two men he knew from work on the TV show “Empire” to stage the attack. As he sentenced Smollett, Judge Linn excoriated him as a narcissist and pronounced himself astounded by Smollett's actions given the actor’s multiracial family background and ties to social justice work.

Persons: Smollett’s, ”, Smollett, Nenye Uche, Uche, Dan Webb’s, Kim Foxx’s, “, he’d, Prosecutors, Donald Trump’s, James Linn, Judge Linn excoriated, ___ Organizations: CHICAGO, Authorities Locations: Illinois, Chicago, Cook, MAGA, Cook County

☆ How the hit podcast 'Scamanda' could become a TV show, according to a leading exec in Lionsgate's audio arm
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Marta Biino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

She discussed how her team plans to turn podcasts into TV shows, and how "Scamanda" could be a doc. The show was produced by Lionsgate Sound, the Hollywood giant's new audio division that launched last year. Lionsgate is one of several television companies to start its own audio arm — like Netflix and HBO, which produce audio companions to their TV shows. Pilgrim is a Lionsgate-owned production company that specializes in unscripted TV, and also a minority owner in Lionsgate Sound. Conversely, the podcast division can also leverage the success of existing TV shows and programs by producing companion audio works for them.

Persons: Gretchen Stockdale, you've, Amanda C, Riley, swindling, Pilgrim, Stockdale, Elizabeth Holmes, Jussie Organizations: Lionsgate, Apple, Lionsgate Sound, Hollywood, Netflix, HBO, Pilgrim Media Group, Hulu, ABC, Bloomberg, Fox Nation

A jury found rapper Tory Lanez guilty Friday of all charges in the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion outside a Los Angeles party. Tory Lanez, Megan Thee Stallion. APIn a statement following the verdict, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón commended Megan Thee Stallion for her "bravery." Alex Spiro, an attorney for Megan Thee Stallion, said in a statement, "The jury got it right. In her testimony, Megan Thee Stallion said Lanez offered her $1 million to keep quiet about the shooting.

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)A jury found rapper Tory Lanez guilty Friday of all charges in the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion outside a Los Angeles party. In a statement following the verdict, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón commended Megan Thee Stallion for her "bravery." Alex Spiro, an attorney for Megan Thee Stallion, said in a statement, "The jury got it right. In her testimony, Megan Thee Stallion said Lanez offered her $1 million to keep quiet about the shooting. She said that Lanez had ordered the women to exit the SUV, and Megan Thee Stallion was walking away when the first shots were fired.

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