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