Illinois Supreme Court Reverses Jussie Smollett’s Conviction, Upholds Plea Deal

The Illinois Supreme Court has reversed Jussie Smollett's conviction in the hate crime hoax case, ruling that his original plea deal with Cook County prosecutors must be upheld. The court's unanimous decision emphasizes that the state is bound by agreements made with defendants, meaning Smollett cannot face prosecution again for the alleged incident.

Special Prosecutor Dan K. Webb expressed disappointment and disagreed with the ruling, maintaining his belief in Smollett’s guilt. However, Webb clarified that the court’s decision was unrelated to his role in the case, which began months after the plea deal was made by Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx. He noted that the Supreme Court's resolution stemmed from the agreement Foxx struck, where Smollett forfeited his $10,000 bond and completed 18 hours of community service.

Smollett’s attorney, Nenye Uche, called the decision a victory for due process, stating that the case was influenced by public opinion rather than evidence. He criticized the second prosecution as "vindictive persecution" and highlighted the challenges celebrities face in court due to their high-profile status.

The case dates back to January 2019, when Smollett reported being attacked by two men shouting racial and homophobic slurs. Investigations later revealed the attackers were brothers and acquaintances of Smollett, who alleged the actor had orchestrated the incident.

The ruling echoes a similar decision in Bill Cosby’s case, where a prior deal led to his conviction being overturned. While the Illinois Supreme Court did not address the merits of the evidence against Smollett, it reinforced the importance of honoring agreements in the justice system.

Comments

Adult Star Lily Phillips Aims to Break 24-Hour Sex World Record Amid Health Warnings

British adult entertainer Lily Phillips is preparing for a world record attempt to sleep with the most men in 24 hours. The event, set for January, aims to surpass the current record of 919 men, held by Lisa Sparks since 2004. Sparks previously admitted the feat left her in pain for a week and described the experience as grueling. Phillips, 23, has been training for months, gradually increasing the number of partners. She recently completed a 14-hour session with 101 men, describing the effort as "so much harder than a 9-to-5 job." She plans to ramp up to 300 participants in the coming weeks. Despite her determination, Phillips acknowledges the physical toll, saying it’s “hard work.” Medical professionals have raised concerns over the extreme nature of such an attempt. Dr. Zac Turner, a preventive health specialist, warned that extended sexual activity could cause significant physical harm, including bruising, soreness, dehydration, and exhaustion. “It’s akin to running a m...

Travis Barker Helps MGK and Megan Fox Reconcile, Leading to Baby News

Travis Barker played a pivotal role in helping Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) and Megan Fox rebuild their relationship, leading to their recent baby news. A source revealed that the Blink-182 drummer provided tough love and guidance when MGK turned to him after Megan initially ended things. “MGK really looks up to Travis,” the insider shared. “Travis, being sober and experienced, didn’t coddle him. Instead, he encouraged him to take responsibility and get his life together.” The 49-year-old musician also mediated between the couple, convincing Megan not to close the door entirely. Once MGK, 34, showed he was serious about making changes, including getting sober, Travis helped initiate therapy for the pair. The journey wasn’t easy. Megan, 38, and MGK, who started dating in 2020 and got engaged in 2022, faced rumors of a breakup last year after Megan removed photos of MGK from her social media. Despite reconciling months later, it wasn’t until August 2023 that MGK took a major step by enterin...

Mikey Madison Reflects on Backlash Over Dewey's Death in Scream 2022

Mikey Madison, best known for her role as Ghostface in the 2022 Scream movie, recently opened up about the intense backlash she faced after her character’s shocking act in the film: the death of Sheriff Dewey Riley, portrayed by David Arquette. In a candid interview, Madison admitted she was initially unaware of the passionate fan base that the Scream franchise had built over the years. “I have to be honest, when I did the film, it sounds naive, but I wasn’t so aware of the huge fan base that the franchise has,” Madison shared with Collider. She revealed that her connection to the franchise was limited, as she was born after the original Scream films released in the 1990s. Madison’s character, one of the film’s Ghostface killers, was involved in the heartbreaking murder of Dewey, a fan-favorite character. Reflecting on the moment, Madison expressed her sadness about the loss of such an iconic character. “I remember being kind of sad because I was like, ‘Oh, such a great character. It...

Cate Blanchett Warns AI Threatens Creativity and Society Beyond Hollywood

Cate Blanchett has expressed deep concerns about the growing influence of artificial intelligence, warning of its potential to disrupt industries far beyond Hollywood. The two-time Oscar winner shared her thoughts in a recent BBC interview, highlighting the risks AI poses to creativity, employment, and society as a whole. Blanchett, known for her performances in Blue Jasmine and Borderlands , acknowledged that the entertainment industry is particularly vulnerable. “AI can totally replace anyone,” she said, referencing its ability to replicate actors and other creative roles. However, her fears extend beyond her profession. “I’m less concerned with my job prospects than I am about its impact on the average person,” she explained. “Old-age pensioners, people working multiple jobs just to stay above the poverty line—those are the people I worry about.” The actress noted that AI’s presence in mainstream discussions surged during the recent writers’ strike, which brought the issue into s...

Natalie Portman Seeks Fresh Start After Split from Husband Benjamin Millepied

Natalie Portman is embracing a fresh start after her split from husband Benjamin Millepied earlier this year. The couple, who were together for nearly 14 years, ended their relationship following reports of Millepied’s infidelity. Now, as Portman moves forward, she’s leaning on her friends and exploring new possibilities. According to a source close to the actress, Portman is cautiously re-entering the dating world but faces challenges. "Natalie has an irrational fear of dating a fellow actor," the insider revealed, noting that the Black Swan star rarely mingles with others in the industry. Portman has previously spoken about the difficulties of maintaining friendships with celebrities, preferring the company of childhood or college friends. This preference extends to her romantic prospects. “Natalie would rather date someone outside Hollywood, like a heart surgeon or architect, than a sitcom star,” the source shared. Portman first met Millepied, a French choreographer an...

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann's Thanksgiving Clash: Police Called Over Heated Dispute

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann’s Thanksgiving holiday turned tense as police were called to their Georgia home the day before the holiday. The estranged couple, in the midst of a contentious divorce, clashed while taking down curtains in their home, which is scheduled for auction. According to a police report obtained by TMZ, Kim accused Kroy of becoming aggressive during the argument, claiming he physically removed her from a ladder, causing her to fall. However, Kim refused to show any evidence of injuries to officers. The situation unfolded in front of some of their children, who provided conflicting accounts to authorities. One of Kim’s daughters stated that Kim fell from the ladder during the disagreement and denied seeing Kroy pull her down. Another child said Kroy only intervened after hearing the argument from the basement. Kroy, for his part, alleged that Kim had struck him during the altercation. With the contradicting statements, officers were unable to determine the prima...

Shia LaBeouf Accuses FKA Twigs of Manipulating Legal Process in Ongoing Lawsuit

Shia LaBeouf is in a heated legal battle with his ex-girlfriend, FKA Twigs, as he accuses her of "gamesmanship" over their ongoing deposition disputes. In documents obtained by In Touch, Shia claims that FKA is manipulating the legal process, asking a judge to intervene in their case. The conflict began in 2020 when FKA filed a lawsuit against Shia, alleging sexual battery and abuse during their relationship from 2018 to 2019. She is seeking $10 million in damages, claiming the alleged abuse caused her severe emotional distress that has affected her ability to work. Shia has denied all allegations and requested that the case be dismissed. According to Shia’s attorney, FKA has been too busy with various projects to attend her deposition. They argue that while she claims to be suffering from emotional distress, she has been working extensively, making it difficult to schedule the deposition. Shia’s legal team noted that FKA initially agreed to dates for her deposition but lat...

Denzel Washington Breaks Career Box Office Record with Gladiator II

Denzel Washington has reached a new milestone in his illustrious Hollywood career. Starring as the scheming villain Macrinus in Gladiator II, directed by Ridley Scott, Washington now boasts the highest-grossing film of his career. The sequel has amassed $320 million globally, surpassing the $267 million earned by Washington's previous box office hit, American Gangster. Notably, American Gangster was also a collaboration with Scott, marking yet another successful partnership for the duo. This success pushes Washington's total career box office earnings past $4.8 billion, with $2.6 billion coming from domestic audiences. If Gladiator II continues its momentum, it could propel Washington's lifetime earnings beyond $5 billion, solidifying his status as a global cinematic icon. Washington’s other top-grossing films include the action-packed Safe House ($207 million globally) and the critically acclaimed Philadelphia ($201 million worldwide). Meanwhile, the Equalizer trilogy sh...

Billboard Apologizes to Taylor Swift Over Controversial Nude Wax Figure Clip

Taylor Swift recently received an apology from Billboard after a misstep in their tribute to her as the second Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century. While the recognition celebrated her stellar career, one detail in the accompanying video stirred controversy. The tribute included a clip featuring a nude wax figure of Taylor Swift—a reference to Kanye West’s 2016 “Famous” video, which showcased nude wax figures of several celebrities, including Swift. The inclusion of the clip sparked backlash, as many felt it was inappropriate for a celebratory piece. Billboard quickly issued an apology, stating, “We are deeply sorry to Taylor Swift and all of our readers and viewers that in a video celebrating Swift’s achievements, we included a clip that falsely depicted her.” The video has since been edited to remove the controversial segment. The top spot on Billboard’s list of Greatest Pop Stars has yet to be revealed, but with Rihanna, Drake, and Lady Gaga securing third, fourth, and fifth pla...

Andrew Garfield and Jacob Elordi Reflect on Careers at Marrakech Film Festival

Andrew Garfield, serving on the jury for the Marrakech Film Festival alongside Jacob Elordi and director Luca Guadagnino, reflected on his career and efforts to move beyond his "Spider-Man" persona. While expressing gratitude for his time as the web-slinging hero, Garfield noted that the role opened doors for projects like Martin Scorsese's Silence . He humorously admitted he's still working on getting fewer Spider-Man-related questions. Guadagnino, who recently directed Garfield in the thriller After the Hunt with Julia Roberts, shared his admiration for the superhero, confessing he once dreamed of directing a Spider-Man film. “I wish I had directed you in Spider-Man,” he quipped to Garfield during their panel. Garfield spoke warmly about his creative collaborations with international filmmakers, including Guadagnino, Scorsese, and Iranian director Ramin Bahrani ( 99 Homes ). Highlighting his passion for diverse storytelling, he said, “We all long to live as many ...

Celebs Byte

Search This Blog