Former Actor Jussie Smollett Released From Jail Pending Appeal

Former actor Jussie Smollett was released from jail last night after an Illinois appeals court granted an emergency motion by his defense attorneys. Just six days ago, Smollett was sentenced to 30 months of felony probation including 150 days in jail and ordered to pay restitution of more than $120,000 and a $25,000 fine for making false reports to police that he was the victim of a hate crime in January 2019. The court order filed last night says Smollett shall “be released from custody upon posting of a personal recognizance bond in the amount of $150,000.” Smollett’s attorney filed the emergency motion last week arguing that he would be “irreparably harmed” if he serves a sentence for convictions that may be reversed and added that he will likely serve his jail time before the completion of his appeal.