JUSSIE SMOLLETT: Guilty

A Chicago jury convicted actor Jussie Smollett. His attorney promised to appeal the verdict.

Smollett will return to court in January for sentencing. He faces as much as 15 years behind bars. However, legal experts believe probation and community service is more likely.

The jury found the Empire actor guilty in five of six counts of felony disorderly conduct. He lied to police detectives five times while claiming to be a hate crime victim. The sixth charge related to an interrogation weeks after the January 2019 incident.

Prosecutors relied on the testimony of two brothers, who staged an anti-gay, racist attack for $3500. They said Smollett felt disrespected by Empire producers, who had recently dismissed the actor’s concern about hate mail addressed to Smollett. (Chicago Tribune)