Prosecutor seeks incarceration, restitution for Smollett

[Calista241]

Source: AP

The special prosecutor who brought the criminal case against Jussie Smollett that led to a guilty verdict against the actor asked a judge Thursday to include “an appropriate amount of prison time” when sentencing Smollett for his conviction of lying to police in a staged hate crime.

Dan Webb said during the sentencing hearing that he would not ask for a specific amount of time, leaving that to Cook County Judge James Linn’s discretion. He also asked that Smollett be ordered to pay $130,000 in restitution to the city of Chicago.

Smollett’s defense attorney Nenye Uche asked Linn to limit the sentence to community service. He said Smollett “has lost nearly everything” in his career and finances and asked that Linn give him time to make restitution if that is part of the sentence.

“Why are we jumping up and down as if this is a murder case?” Uche said. “It’s not.”

Witnesses for both the state and Smollett testified at Smollett’s sentencing at the Cook County Courthouse. Chicago Police Supt. David Brown, who was called by the state, submitted a statement that was read aloud by Samuel Mendenhall, a member of the special prosecution team.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/jussie-smollett-sentencing-live-updates-dca736b72447363711dbda548f13d79d

[nycbos]

1. Fuck this a**hole.

The most tragic thing about his actions are that it's going to make it more difficult to get justice for future hate crime victims.

[onecaliberal]

2. But the fucks who broke shit and tried to kill pence get a slap on the wrist NO JAIL.

[jimfields33]

6. Smollette could have to at the beginning, but he turned down the plea deals.

I’m not sure he saw the whole picture of the circumstances and now he’ll have to see reality not being so nice.

[onecaliberal]

9. Deal or not when I see wealthy white men going to jail for much worse crimes I might change my mind.

Until then this is complete Bullshit.

[jimfields33]

10. Understand and I agree.

I’m embarrassed that I didn’t see that but I definitely get it now. Thank you!

[XanaDUer2]

3. I wonder why he did it?

I really do. He seemed like a successful, up-and-coming actor with a career ahead of him. Why do this?!

[temporary311]

4. Makes me think of Munchausen's.

Morton Downey Jr. in the 80s and Backwards B girl during Obama's first campaign did similar things.

[Skittles]

5. I think it is a mental health issue

I hope he seeks help.

[live love laugh]

12. I think you're right and that should have been taken into consideration.

[Skittles]

13. I don't know what kind of lawyer he has

who knows, maybe he just won't listen to anyone

[JI7]

7. He has a history . But I heard something about how he was going to be fired

[EndlessWire]

8. I'd sentence him to

a year in county jail, not prison, and restitution, plus mental health treatment. Or, heavy duty mental health counseling plus restitution.

We need to save the prison space for all the Republicans. Just saying. I don't feel threatened by this guy. We let murderers and rapists out every day and claim they are rehabbed. This guy shouldn't have done what he did, but it isn't the worst thing that someone has done.

[OnlinePoker]

11. 150 days in jail, 30 months probation, $25k fine plus $100k+ restitution

When asked if he had anything to say he seemed to still claim innocence and that this was an attack that was racist and LGBTQ inspired. Then he said several times in a more agitated state that he's not suicidal and if something happened to him inside to investigate because he's not suicidal. Frankly, he sounded unhinged.

[murielm99]

14. He's an actor.

Maybe he was acting to cover and explain his guilt.

I can't figure out this guy.

[NullTuples]

15. White men who tried to overtake the federal government: median of 45 days in jail

Black man found guilty of lying to police: 150 days in jail

This is not justice.

[Jose Garcia]

16. This is what happens when you go to trial instead of taking a plea deal

[NullTuples]

17. That's not "Justice".