An appeals court ordered actor Jussie Smollett‘s release from jail Wednesday, just one week after being sentenced for making false police reports claiming he was the victim of a hate crime in 2019.
In a 2-1 decision, the court ruled to release Smollett on a $150,000 personal recognizance bond while awaiting an appeal of his conviction. The former actor was sentenced to 150 days in jail.
‘I AM NOT SUICIDAL!’ JUSSIE SMOLLETT SHOUTS AS HE IS DRAGGED TO JAIL FOR HATE CRIME HOAX
Smollett, 39, publicly questioned his own safety if placed behind bars. He shouted, “I am not suicidal!” after his sentence was read last week, insisting that if he dies in jail, it wouldn’t be because he took his own life.
The onetime actor, who is black and gay, was convicted in December on five counts of felony disorderly conduct and acquitted on a sixth. He had pleaded not guilty to the counts.
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Smollett alleged that he was assaulted by two men who yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him while tying a noose around his neck. Police said he manufactured the story to advance his career, but the actor denied the claim. The former Empire actor also said his attackers yelled, “This is MAGA country!” during the incident.
In addition to the jail time, Cook County Judge James Linn sentenced Smollett to three years of probation and ordered him to pay fines and restitution for police overtime totaling $145,126.
