The former “Empire” actor walked out of the Cook County Jail on Wednesday surrounded by security. He did not comment as he got into an awaiting SUV, but his attorneys said Smollett, who is Black and gay, was the target of a racist justice system and people playing politics.last week to immediately begin serving 150 days in jail for his conviction on five felony counts of disorderly conduct for lying to police.
“The real question is: Should Black men be walked into jail for a class 4 felony? Shame on you if you think they should,” Uche said. Smollett’s attorneys had argued that he would have completed the sentence by the time the appeal process was completed and that Smollett could be in danger of physical harm if he remained locked up in Cook County Jail.