Judge denies motion to dismiss; Smollett sentencing begins

By DON BABWIN
Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — A judge has denied a motion to dismiss the conviction of actor Jussie Smollett for lying to Chicago police about a racist and homophobic attack he staged himself. Sentencing for Smollett began shortly after Cook County Judge James Linn on Thursday upheld the jury’s verdict from December that found Smollett, who is Black and gay, guilty of five felony counts of disorderly conduct. The verdict followed a trial in which prosecutors presented evidence that Smollett planned the attack, hired and paid two men he knew from his work on the show “Empire” to carry it out and bought them supplies. After the ruling there was a brief break and the sentencing began for Smollett, who faces time behind bars or probation.