Summary:
Prosecutors have dropped felony charges against Jussie Smollett for his hate crime report that two men attacked him on January 29, yelling racist and homophobic slurs while striking him. Smollett was previously indicted by a grand jury in March for 16 counts of disorderly conduct. Smollett’s case was dismissed in exchange for his $10,000 bail and community service. Smollett is also being asked to pay an additional $130,106.15 for the cost of the false investigation. Kim Foxx, Cook County State’s Attorney, has come under fire for dropping the charges and sealing the documents on the case. She responded by stating that "If he's found guilty on a Class 4 (felony), the likelihood was he was going to get some type of, perhaps, restitution, community service -- not prison." Rahm Emanuel Chicago’s governor wondered “if Smollett weren’t an actor with influence” he wouldn’t have gotten off so easily. Trump has also tweeted on the issue: "FBI & DOJ to review the outrageous Jussie Smollett case in Chicago. It is an embarrassment to our nation!"
Questions:
1. Do you believe that Jussie Smollett received preferential treatment for his status as an actor?
2. Do you believe a federal investigation into the case would be appropriate?
3. Is this case an example of the larger issues with our criminal justice system?
4. Do you believe that Jussie Smollett received a reasonable sentence?
I believe Jussie Smollett did get the right sentence. The Justice system cant put him in jail if the women and men who falsely accuse others of rape aren't put into jail either. If no crime was actually committed, he rightfully didn't receive actual jail time.The discipline and fines he received were much deserved, however, for wasting the FBI's time with a made up story. I believe this is an example of a larger issue with our criminal justice system, which is people making up false accusations for the opportunity to receive attention and or make money.
ReplyDeleteI believe that his legal sentencing is reasonable when considered alongside precedent for similar matters. No matter how badly he is punished, whether by the law or public outrage, there is really nothing else that can be done to reconcile his wrongdoings. The results of his actions are far worse than just wasted time for an investigation, they discredit victims everywhere, because now the question of "he said versus she said" is even more prominent in the minds of Americans. Victims of hate crimes, rape, abuse, and other acts that may not always have concrete evidence rely on people believing them when they come forward, and Smollett has endangered the already fragile system of helping people who cannot prove their accusations are true without a lot of assistance from those who say "I believe you."
ReplyDelete