Jussie Smollett, 39, has been sentenced to 150 days in jail and fined $25,000 for faking an attack in 2019.
The Empire actor was calm when Judge James Linn announced the verdict, describing Smollett as “profoundly arrogant and selfish and narcissistic.”
After the verdict was read, Smollett stood and shouted: “I am not suicidal. If I did this then it means I stuck my fist in the fears of black people for over 400 years.”
The actor added: “If anything happens to me when I go in there, I did not to it to myself, and you must all know that.”
While being led down to his cell, he yelled: “I am not suicidal. I am innocent.”
According to CBS Chicago, Smollett will be placed on suicide watch.
His oldest brother, Jocqui Smollett, said that he was “very disappointed” with the verdict. His sister Jazz Smollett also called it a ‘miscarriage of justice.’
The Smollett family took to Instagram and wrote: “OUR BROTHER IS INNOCENT AND WE WILL KEEP FIGHTING.”
The judge said the actor was seeking fame and attention but caused significant harm to the civil rights movement.
Discussing why Smollett lied, Judge Linn said: “I don’t think money motivated you at all. The only thing I can find is that you craved the attention. You took some scabs off healing wounds, you ripped them apart. And for a while it worked.
“You were throwing a national pity party for yourself.”
“The hypocrisy is just outstanding,” Linn added. “I believe that you did damage to actual hate crime victims.
“These are people who have a difficult time coming forward. There may be some trepidation.
“I don’t know if they are going to be accused of acting like you, pulling a stunt like you. I don’t know if first responders are going to be more hesitant.
“I hope it’s not the case.”
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