CHICAGO — Convicted actor Jussie Smollett was ordered released from jail late Wednesday pending appeal of his conviction and 150-day sentence for staging a hoax hate crime on himself. The actor walked out of Cook County Jail at about 8 p.m. Central time with his lawyers.
The one-page order issued by the Illinois Appellate Court stated that Smollett was to be released from Cook County Jail after signing a $150,000 recognizance bond, which would not require him to post any money.
The three-judge panel was split 2-1, with Justices Thomas Hoffman and Joy Cunningham agreeing to grant the motion. The only explanation offered in the order was that Smollett has never been convicted of a violent offense and would have completed his sentence of incarceration well before his appeal is decided.
