Jussie Smollett in Psych Ward Says Brother, Taraji P. Henson Calls For His Release
Empire star Taraji P. Henson has come to the defense of her former castmate Jussie Smollett as the recently convicted actor is moved to the psychiatric ward at the Cook County jail.
“Jussie is currently in a psych ward at the Cook County Jail,” said Jussie’s brother Jocqui Smollett in a video posted to the former Empire star’s Instagram. “What’s very concerning is that there was a note attached to his paperwork today and put on the front of his jail cell saying that he’s at risk of self-harm.”
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Following his sentencing on Thursday for charges related to a hoax hate crime, Jussie told the courtroom that he would not kill himself while in custody. “I am not suicidal,” he said. “And if anything happens to me when I go in [jail], I did not do it to myself. And you must all know that.”
Jocqui added, “I want to just make it clear to folks that he is in no way, shape, or form at risk of self-harm. And he wants to let folks know that he is very stable, he is very strong, he is very healthy and ready to take on the challenge that ultimately has been put up against him.”
Henson also took to Instagram, where she called for Jussie to be placed in home confinement rather than jail — he was sentenced to 150 days incarceration in addition to being ordered to pay $120,000 restitution to the city of Chicago, plus a $25,000 fine, and to serve 30 months of probation. “I am not here to debate you on his innocence,” Henson wrote, “But we can agree that the punishment does not fit the crime.”
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The Golden Globe-winning actress went on to invoke Emmett Till, who “was brutally beat and ultimately murdered because of a lie,” adding that none of the people involved in his killing have spent one day in jail.
“No one was hurt or killed during Jussie’s ordeal,” she continued. “He has already lost everything, EVERYTHING! To me as an artist not able to create that in itself is punishment enough… My prayer is that he is freed and put on house arrest and probation because in this case that would seem fair. Please #freejussie.”
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G
We all must pay for our crimes big or little, black or white, wrong is wrong
17 2
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O
When he started shouting in court he wasn't suicidal I thought to myself he is saying that because he plans on trying to kill himself and thinking the blame will be placed elsewhere. He seriously does have mental problems! He needs help!
20 6
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C
You’re damn right that the punishment is not fair; it should’ve been more jail time!!!!. He didn’t just lie to the police, he lied to everybody and prompted people to judge based on a lie.
15 4
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B
Yeah..white men get less time for using the date rape drug.
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P
I think we should take into consideration what the judge spoke. He (Judge) spoke on the harm his actions caused for other victims and the way it could effect those that are in position to assist the victims.
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G
I think he said that aloud because so many BLACK people have "mysteriously" cone up dead once arrested Sandra Bland for example. It wasn't a cry for help but to let you know if something happens to him THEY DID IT!!
9 4
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G
More like it was a ploy to get put into a mental facility rather than jail where he belongs.
2 1
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C
Do your time and stop wasting everyone's else's time.....you've done enough of that. Man up.
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G
I think he got off to easy, only whining now because he is guilty. No remorse what so ever
7 3
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B
I felt that same thing about those thugs going to jail for Jan. 6.
1 1
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O
Don’t break the law next time you coward.
2 1
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C
He’s not in the psych ward! They have psych inmates in mutie locations he is in a cell by himself! In the hospital wing ! He’s not being harmed he has his own guard to make sure he is safe!
3 2
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C
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
3 3
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G
Of course he's in a psych ward. More drama for this moron. Hopefully he'll be committed after his light sentence
4 4
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B
Then you guys shouldn’t have been so anxious to get him conflicted..deal with it!
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G
He was convicted because he committed a CRIME so stop trying to justify it. He should have gotten more time than he did!
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R
I think that it's tanamount to him being in solitary confinement for 150 days that's just wrong then all the fines on top of it and he's lost everything because of a prank and he was a kid I mean remember when you were a teenager or early twenties and try to cut the guy some slack then he has 30 months or so of a probation the punishment does not fit the crime I think it's wrong
4 8
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G
He was and is NOT a kid, he is 39 years old. He should have received way more time then he got! He caused more racial tension by lying and staging a fake hate crime. Please stop trying to justify his crimes!
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P
IS THIS WAS A WHITE PERSON NO JAIL TIME AT ALL AND FREE JUSSIE# LET HIM GO
8 26
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G
If this fool had been white this nonsense would never have happened.
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