I judged this dude ... How about you?

[Mr Quatro]

I don't know when I'm going to learn how to stop judging people, but this is a start :yep:


Jussie Smollett charges dropped, actor won't be prosecuted on charges he faked attack

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/jussie-smollett-wont-be-prosecuted-on-charges-he-faked-attack?fbclid=IwAR3diEjyGLh8Gsslvvw0WQHBzIXx73zsUP OkXLLjLcTSmJrkm3qSALHcY7Y

Smollett was accused of faking an anti-black, anti-gay hate crime in Chicago in order to drum up publicity for his role on the Fox drama.

Smollett, who posed with fans outside the courthouse, thanked his friends and family for standing by him.

“Not for a moment was it in vain. I’ve been truthful and consistent on every level since day one,” he said. “I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I was accused of. “

[Platapus]

Yeah, I am not thrilled with this decision either.

Once a Grand Jury indicts, there should be a trial. That way all the evidence can be presented and examined.

Why even use a Grand Jury if the prosecutor can suddenly decide to take the day off?

[August]

As we say in Rhode Island; The fix was in.

[bstanko6]

I live in Chicago. I can serious say it is a disgusting place. That guy was looking to start trouble, he should be punished for what he did.

[Mr Quatro]

My first thoughts were to judge him guilty due to all of the facts, but now he has been set free. So I thought well how can this happen? You mean he was innocent?

Now I think it might be a law suit involved ... a big one too :o


All criminal charges against "Empire" actor" Jussie Smollett have been dropped and "his record has been wiped clean," his attorneys said Tuesday in a statement.

A judge also granted a motion to seal the case, CBS Chicago reported.

[Commander Wallace]

Here in the U.S, we have the best legal system money can buy. :roll::doh:

[u crank]

There is more evidence that Jussie Smollett faked a hate crime than there is that Trump colluded with Russia. But they have both been exonerated so it's a win win situation. I think.

Now back to our regular programing.:O:

[Mr Quatro]

Chicago legal system uncovered :o

http://rightoncrime.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/b8d5ba65-e3c7-43b0-82b8-b9f81302fbde-653x340.jpg

[Jimbuna]

Get Robert Mueller on the case.

[u crank]

This case is a clear example of one of the worst ills in society. Political interference in the justice system. Jussie Smollett didn't escape justice because he was black or gay or somewhat famous. He escaped justice because of his family connections to the corrupt Democratic organization in Chicago. The evidence against him is damning.

I don't really want to see him punished but I think he should get some psychiatric help. Any one who would fake a crime and then consistently lie about it has some serious mental issues.

[Platapus]

He has not been exonerated. It seems like several people like to throw that word around. The prosecution feels that he did fake the reports but have decided to seek an alternative solution.

This is not exactly uncommon, but is not commonly applied to felonies. Chances are that even with a trial, he would have been sentenced to community service and a fine.

In this deal, he completed his community service before judgment and the court is, in effect, fining him $10K

Why would a prosecutor accept this? Several reasons

1. They wanted to avoid a very high-profile and emotionally charged trial. the probability of rioting may have been considered and this way he is still being "punished" but no high profile trial

2. The prosecutor's case may not have been as sound as first thought. Perhaps there was evidence that was mishandled and might have resulted in either acquittal or a mistrial

3. The courts tend not to throw first time non-violent offenders in the slam for their first conviction. I, unfortunately, know two young people who were convicted of drug related felonies who did not serve any jail time. One of the individuals was actually arrested later for weapon crimes and the little punk has still avoided spending even one day in jail.

4. This individual is still under investigation for federal crimes. Holding a trial while a federal investigation is underway is a complication they may not have wanted, especially if there is any chance it may taint the federal case.

I would have liked to see this go to trial. That's why we have a Grand Jury system. If he was convicted (always a risk with a high profile defendant, and especially in an emotionaly charged case), the likelihood of him getting jail time was pretty small.

So in effect, he received the punishment he would have most likely received without the expense of a trial or the possibility of an aftermath and in return he has no record.

However, under 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/3-5(b), he can be charged with and tried for these crimes with in either 18 months of 3 years depending on the court. So in effect he is on probation. If he does anything else wrong, the state can bring him back in to court.

This is commonly called "Probation Before Judgment" or PBJ

So while I don't like what happened, it is not exactly unheard of

He has to keep his nose clean for a while and he still has to worry about the Federal Case which does carry a significant prison term.

[bstanko6]

Platapus...

I have problem with the first example why they let him go.... emotional crap. The legal system should not take into mind anything emotional. That’s the point of the legal system it’s supposed to be neutral and free of all of that.

[Platapus]

I agree, but I also understand any potential concern for public response.

It should not dictate what the state does, but at the same time, I don't think it should have zero influence.

[em2nought]

I wonder if someone has died or will die because of what Jussie Smollett did or did not do. :06:

[Platapus]

I wonder if someone has died or will die because of what Jussie Smollett did or did not do. :06:

I imagine that would be pretty hard to prove.

[em2nought]

I imagine that would be pretty hard to prove.
Never said anything about proving it, just that I wonder about it. I wonder if the thought ever crosses Jussie Smollett's mind, or if he's too self absorbed to even care? :hmmm:

[August]

Never said anything about proving it, just that I wonder about it. I wonder if the thought ever crosses Jussie Smollett's mind, or if he's too self absorbed to even care? :hmmm:


I doubt it. He was quite eager to hang a target on anyone who happened to be wearing a MAGA hat.

[Rockin Robbins]

Mercy is not exoneration.