In a landmark ruling on Thursday, the Illinois Supreme Court dismissed Jussie Smollett’s 2021 conviction for falsely reporting a hate crime, citing a previous agreement between Smollett and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx to drop the charges according to PBS News.

Court Rules 5-0 to Dismiss Case

The court’s unanimous 5-0 decision stated that the initial agreement—where charges against Smollett were dropped in exchange for a $10,000 fine and community service—should have been upheld. The court explained, “While public dissatisfaction with the original resolution is noted, failing to honor binding agreements would be more unjust than the outcome of a single criminal case.”

The court drew parallels to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision in Bill Cosby’s case, emphasizing the importance of upholding constitutional rights over societal interest in prosecution. The case has now been sent back to the circuit court for dismissal.

Background of the Case

Smollett, a former Empire star, was convicted in 2021 for staging a fake racist and homophobic attack in 2019 and lying to police about the incident. The conviction came after a special prosecutor was appointed in 2020, following public backlash over the initial case’s resolution.

Smollett’s lawyers argued his conviction violated the Fifth Amendment’s protection against double jeopardy, as he had already fulfilled the terms of his 2019 agreement. The court sided with this argument, effectively barring further prosecution.

Special Prosecutor’s Response

Special Prosecutor Dan Webb expressed strong disagreement with the ruling, stating it contradicted Illinois legal precedent. He emphasized that the decision does not exonerate Smollett, pointing out that overwhelming evidence presented during the 2021 trial proved Smollett orchestrated the hoax.

“Today’s decision is not a declaration of Mr. Smollett’s innocence,” Webb said. “The ruling solely reflects the Illinois Supreme Court’s interpretation of the prosecutorial agreement made in 2019.”

Webb also criticized the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for significant missteps in handling the initial case, which he argued undermined public trust in the justice system.

Ongoing Civil Lawsuit

Despite the dismissal of criminal charges, the City of Chicago intends to pursue its civil lawsuit against Smollett to recover over $120,000 spent in police overtime investigating the alleged hoax.

Looking Ahead

The ruling closes a high-profile chapter in Smollett’s criminal case but leaves lingering questions about the case’s handling and the broader implications for public trust in the legal system. Both Smollett’s representatives and the state’s attorney are expected to provide further statements later on Thursday.