Taraji P. Henson Defends Jussie Smollett: “Punishment Does Not Fit The Crime”

Jussie Smollett is receiving public support from his TV mom Taraji P. Henson.

Henson who played Smollet’s mother (Cookie Lyons) on Empire is one of the latest celebrities to show support for the actor. Henson expressed that Jussie’s 150-day sentence is unjust via Instagram.

“I am not here to debate you on his innocence but we can agree that the punishment does not fit the crime,” Henson wrote before mentioning Emmitt Till, the Chicago teen who was brutalized beyond recognition during the Jim Crow era.

“Emmett Till was brutally beat and ultimately murdered because of a lie and none of the people involved with his demise spent one day in jail, even after Carolyn Bryant admitted that her claims were false,” Henson continued. “No one was hurt or killed during Jussie’s ordeal. He has already lost everything, EVERYTHING!”

 

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As previously reported a judge sentenced Smollett to 30 months of felony probation (with the first 150 days to be served in a county jail) in addition to being ordered to pay $120,000 restitution to the city of Chicago, plus a $25,000 fine.

Before sentencing, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Alfre Woodard, Samuel L. Jackson, sent letters urging Judge Linn to consider other alternatives to prison.

Jussie is currently in a psych ward at the Cook County Jail according to his brother Jocqui who says he is not suicidal or at risk of self harm.

“Jussie is currently in a psych ward at the Cook County Jail. 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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