Illinois Supreme Court to hear actor Jussie Smollett appeal of conviction for staging racist attack
The Illinois Supreme Court will hear an appeal of actor Jussie Smollett’s disorderly conduct conviction for staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and lying to Chicago police
By JOHN O'CONNOR
Published - Mar 27, 2024, 04:23 PM ET
Last Updated - Mar 27, 2024, 05:24 PM EDT
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Supreme Court will hear an appeal of actor Jussie Smollett's disorderly conduct conviction for staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019, then lying to Chicago police about it.
The court on Wednesday accepted the appeal from Smollett, formerly a cast member of the television drama “Empire.” It will review a December state appellate court ruling that upheld his 2021 conviction by a Cook County jury.
The case kicked up an international uproar and produced an intensive manhunt by Chicago police detectives.
There is no date set for the high court to hear arguments in the matter.