People are furious as more details of actor Jussie Smollett’s release from jail, come out.
The Empire actor has been released while the appeal of his sentence is underway.
After an 8-day trial, Smollett was found guilty on 5 counts of disorderly conduct and of lying about being a victim of a racist and homophobic attack, with the judge ordering him to spend five month behind bars.
However, due to fears for the actors’ safety in jail, his lawyers argued that he should be released during his appeal, and Smollett was released after spending one day behind bars.
The 39-year-old’s lawyers, and his brother Jocqui Smollett, claim that he was being kept in the “psych ward” of the jail, for the actors own safety, according to the Chicago Sun Times.
The Independent reports that the Cook County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that Smollett is not in solitary confinement:
“These protocols are routinely used for individuals ordered into protective custody who may potentially be at risk of harm due to the nature of their charges, their profession, or their noteworthy status,”
“The safety and security of all detained individuals, including Mr Smollett, is the Sheriff’s Office’s highest priority.”
Smollett’s younger brother, Jocqui, then revealed on Instagram that his brother had been taken out of the psych ward due to pressure put on the jail by fans.
A spokesperson for the Sheriff’s office responded:
“He was moved from that cell because Cermak Health Services needed his cell for another detained person. This was a decision made by the medical professionals. Mr. Smollett was never restrained to a bed or anything else in the cell. The bed was never equipped with restraints.”
Now however, Smollett has been released from jail pending his appeal and people online are not happy about it:
The justice system continues to prove what a joke it is.
— Brandon Robinson (@nylerobin) March 16, 2022
How do you fake a hate crime, only get 5 months & then get out while you appeal? I don’t get it
— kotabay (@brockpatti) March 16, 2022
That is not okay. He needs to be kept until sentencing.
— colt745flockin1 (@colt745flockin1) March 16, 2022
He supposedly left Cook County Jail, surrounded by a sea of security, making no comment to the waiting reporters.
What do you think of his release?
It’s not right. Do the crime – Do the time.