The whole thing is so strange. What I find particularly odd is that when this happened, he was riding high, getting lots of critical and popular recognition as one of the next big things. So what prompted this? Maybe, like Mik says, it was some sort of substance abuse issue. Or maybe he just wanted to ride the whole woke train and get a bunch of sympathetic publicity.

Instead, his hoax set things back for everyone with legitimate stories to tell. And odds are, he actually has legitimate stories of harrassment to tell, but they weren't "sexy" enough. I guess.

Oh, man. He's even dumber than I knew.

Apparently, what really sunk his little plot is a series of stupid decisions.

So, he and these two "assailants" go to this street corner a few days before to plan out the assault. Trouble is, there are street cameras that show them there. Doh!

Then the day of the assault, Jussie was flying back to Chicago, but his plane was delayed by 4 hours. So he texted the assailants (using his own cell phone rather than a burner phone) telling them (on their phone rather than a burner phone) that his flight was delayed. Doh!

Jussie explains the text by saying he was telling them about the flight delay because they were his personal trainers and they were going to work out the next day. Uh, who does that? I don't text my tennis pro telling him my flight is delayed because we have a lesson the next day. Doh!

Then the assailants leave their house at the appointed hour to go to the attack spot, but they take an Uber. Which of course creates a record of where they got picked up and where they got dropped off. Doh!

Being conscientious attackers, they got there a little early. So they waited on a bench nearby, in full view of a street camera. Doh!

Remember this, children. It is harder than ever to get away with a crime nowadays. Cameras are positively everywhere. You won't get away with it.

I dunno. Maybe 30 days in jail? First offense, low-level felony, he has already lost his career, he isn't a threat . . . . Or maybe probation, massive fine, and a ton of community service?

Judge's remarks were lengthy and like nothing I've ever heard. Really came down hard on Smollett and also acknowledged the good things he's done. Went on for like half an hour, basically recapping the entire case and hammering Smollett for what he did.

Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in Cook County jail, starting today. Lawyers said they're appealing, asked for stay of jail time. No dice; judge said he goes to jail today. Has to pay city $120K+ in restitution and also pay a $25K fine.

Smollett was asked if he wanted to say something, and he stood up and said he's not suicidal and if anything happens to him while he's in jail, "I'm not suicidal". Insisted that he's innocent. Repeated all of that as he was led out of the court room.

Remarkable.

Cindy - I’m guessing he would have gotten away with just fines and community service if he had come clean at some point and stopped gas-lighting the court.

I hope he serves the entire sentence.

quote:

Originally posted by QuirtEvans:
I figure that he wanted to get famous and rich in a Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian kind of way, but sex tape had already been done.

This guy.

Now he is free pending his appeal.

He consumed only ice water while in jail for six days.

I hope he will use this time to find the real attackers.

Worked for OJ.

Also it was rather cruel putting him in a cell with his attacker.