It was basically a witch hunt.
Racist whites are upset that a black man mistakenly thought he was attacked by racist whites instead of two homophobic black guys likely trying to find a way to be hired as his bodyguards.
Racists whites wanted him to pay. That's persecution. Pure and simple.
His attorney discusses trying a case solely based on public opinion:
https://www.tmz.com/watch/2024-11-21-112124-nenye-uche-1933092-835/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/smollett-charges-overturned-1.7389582
The ruling and the appeal did not address Smollett's continued claim of innocence.
He wasn't found innocent, but the conviction was overturned on a technicality. Important difference. Also, no word opn charging the two white boys on anything. That said, it appears though that the decision won't likely restart his career, not to mention do much to reverse the stress he was under for the last five and a half years.
No one is found "innocent" in a court of law. Only "not guilty". There is a difference!
It was NOT overturned on a technicality! Smollet and the previous DA made an agreement. The ruling never had to determine Smollet's "innocence" since the agreement had ALL CHARGES DROPPED if Smollet paid $10,000 and did community service which he did. Public opinion influenced the case which lead to the charges being refiled. That's double jeopardy.
Similar situation happened with Bill Cosby who made an agreement with the DA in exchange for his testimony. Later, the new DA reneged on the agreement. Eventually, Cosby was released from prison because of the original agreement and wrongdoing by the new DA.
4 major problems:
1. Double jeopardy
2. Allowing public opinion to influence a court case
3. Reneging on the agreement made by the DA and Smollet after he completed its terms.
4. Due process rights violations
The Illinois Supreme Court made the right decision in fairness and justice.
Yes indeed there is a difference between "not guilty" and "innocent" or "exonerated".
Not guilty means that the state didn't provide sufficient evidence for a guilty verdict, while innocent or exonerated means the court cleared the defendant of all guilt. Ask a lawyer.
Your "4 major problems" are irrelevant. Take a look at my source and your own again, and actually read it and try to comprehend.
He made the whole thing up, paid two guys to fake it for him, and now he walks. This will be another negro holiday like Juneteenth, Kwanza, and O.J.'s acquittal.
shareHe didn't walk. An agreement was made that he would pay $10,000 and complete community service in exchange for the charges to be dropped which he did. But you racists never let go of your old desire to lynch black men, do you?
So if he paid the money and did the community service, he wasn't exactly innocent. He just took a deal.
share"He just took a deal."
And an agreed upon deal can't be reneged says the Illinois Supreme Court. Move on!
If you were interested in justice, instead of racist retribution, you'd want Trump in prison.
Words of wisdom from a locker room lawyer. LOL
What makes you think I'm racist? If you look at my posting history, you would notice that I'm anything but a Trump supporter.
This isn't a hill worth dying on. Smollett is a pathetic clown who destroyed his mediocre career & the butthurt Alt-Reich, stormf@gs are just as pathetic for still whining about this idiot for spinning a make believe anti-gay hate crime to boost his celebrity & advance lbgtq legislation. He succeeded in the later but ultimately sabotaged his career in the process. It was rather petty & a waste to spend, millions of taxpayer dollars to drag him through criminal court over his fairytale involving imaginary suspects that few people ever believed in the first place. Stop being whiny little bitches & move on.
share"It was basically a witch hunt."
No, it was basicly a hoax of a hate-crime. You are on the wrong Smollett side of history.
If you were interested in justice, instead of a racist witch hunt, you'd want Trump in prison.
I'm clearly on the correct side of history since I said it was a witch hunt years ago and the Illinois Supreme Court agrees with me.
"If you were interested in justice, instead of a racist witch hunt, you'd want Trump in prison."
**I cant even begin to explain how much this makes absolutley zero sense (even grammatically). It only makes sense in your head.
"I said it was a witch hunt years ago and the Illinois Supreme Court agrees with me."
**Please show me where the Supreme Court said it was a witch hunt.
Did you read their decision? I suggest you do. And listen to the interview between Smollet's lawyer and TMZ guy also.
shareWell, I'll give him credit for correctly identifying this country as "MAGA country"
share