An appeals court ordered former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett released from jail on Wednesday, just seven days into a 150-day sentence for faking a hate crime.
In a 2-1 ruling, the justices ordered Smollett released pending the appeal of his conviction, on the condition that he post a $150,000 bond.
The justices did not explain their ruling.
Smollett’s attorney, Nenye Uche, had warned that Smollett was the subject of threats and could face physical harm while in custody. He also argued that Smollett was likely to be kept in solitary confinement, which could damage his mental health.
Sean Wieber, representing the special prosecutor’s office that handled the case, countered that in fact Smollett was not being held in solitary confinement — which the Cook County jail system has discontinued since 2016 — and that the jail had taken care to protect his physical and…
