Judge orders Jussie Smollett to be released while he appeals sentence

An appellate court judge has granted Jussie Smollett to be released while he appeals his sentence.

Jussie Smollett released

The ruling came after a Cook County judge sentenced Smollett last week to immediately begin serving 150 days in jail for his conviction on five low level felony counts of disorderly conduct for lying to police. The appellate court said Smollett could be released after posting a personal recognizance bond of $150,000.

Smollett’s attorneys had argued that he would have completed the sentence by the time the appeal process was completed and that Smollett could be in danger of physical harm if he remained lodged in Cook County Jail.

After sentencing

Two days after Smollett went to jail, his brother Jocqui Smollett posted a concerning video on Jussie’s Instagram saying his brother was put in the jail’s psych ward. He also called for supporters to spread awareness to free Jussie, calling the sentence unjust.

Jussie Smollett was convicted of allegedly faking a hate crime. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution & $25,000 fines to the city of Chicago.