Taraji P. Henson, Indya Moore, And Jurnee Smollett All Showed Their Support For Jussie Smollett
Last week Jussie Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in prison and 30 months of probation after being found guilty of lying to the police about being attacked in a 2019 hate crime. He was also ordered to pay a $25,000 fine and $120,106 in restitution. Whew. As Jussie was being led out of the courtroom, he raised his fist and yelled, “I am not suicidal, I am innocent!” and his sister, actress Jurnee Smollett, yelled, “Stop locking up our Black men!” Over the weekend Jurnee doubled down on Instagram, sharing an image with the hashtag #FreeJussie, and writing that while her brother is innocent, “you shouldn’t have to believe in his innocence to believe he should be free.” Actors Indya Moore (Pose) and Kendrick Sampson (Nathan from Insecure), and Jussie’s Empire co-star Taraji P. Henson also posted #FreeJussie content. In her caption on Instagram, Taraji compared Jussie’s case with the 1955 murder of Emmett Till.
Here’s what Taraji wrote:
Here are Jurnee and Indya’s posts:
And Kendrick Sampson’s Instagram Story:
They aren’t the only Jussie supporters. Samuel L. Jackson and Alfre Woodward both wrote letters to the Jussie’s judge begging for leniency prior to his sentencing. Alfre called Jussie “an exceptionally kind human being,” and Samuel and wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson wrote that the Smolletts were good family friends (Eve’s Bayou connection?) and “Jussie has already suffered a great deal of punishment, as this situation has destroyed his existing career and impugned his reputation.”
Yesterday Jussie’s brother Jocqui Smollett hopped onto Jussie’s Instagram page and posted a video update about his brother. He says that Jussie is currently in a psych ward at the Cook County Jail, and Deadline points out that’s typically where high-profile prisoners are kept. Jocqui added, via Deadline:
“What’s very concerning is that there was a note attached to his paperwork today and put on the front of his jail cell saying that he’s at risk of self-harm.”
Jocqui added, “I want to just make it clear to folks that he is in no way, shape, or form at risk of self-harm. And he wants to let folks know that he is very stable, he is very strong, he is very healthy, and ready to take on the challenge that ultimately has been put up against him.”
Here’s the video:
TMZ adds that Jussie’s legal team has already filed a request for Jussie to be let out of prison while his appeal is pending. They argue that being locked in solitary isn’t good for his mental health and that he’s also in danger of being attacked in the clink. Jussie’s lawyers are also playing the COVID card, saying that he’s “at a higher risk of catching COVID due to a compromised immune system … while citing positive case rates in jails and prisons across the country.”
I don’t think any of this #FreeJussie stuff is gonna work. Judge Linn was not a Jussie fan, saying he “selfishly, arrogantly and narcissistically” staged a hate crime, all because of his “craving” for attention. Well, look on the bright side, Jussie, you’re getting all the delicious attention anyone coulda dreamt of.
Pic: INSTAR