An appeals court sided with Jussie Smollett Wednesday and ruled the Empire actor recently convicted of staging a hate hoax in 2019 should be released on bond pending the outcome of his appeal.
The surprise order, which is contingent upon Smollett signing a $150,000 personal recognizance bond, followed less than a week after a Cook County judge sentenced Smollett to five months in a Chicago jail following his conviction on five counts of disorderly conduct.
Smollett’s family and legal team argued in an emergency motion filed after he was taken into custody that his disputed jail term would be over by the time his pending appeal is resolved. They further claimed “vicious threats” and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic put him at risk of physical harm if he remained in Cook County Jail.
“At this point, our biggest priority is getting our brother out of jail. He’s a strong…
