Jussie Smollett sentencing hearing opens with lawyers seeking to have judge toss conviction for phony hate crime
CHICAGO — For the first time since his media-firestorm trial and conviction last year, Jussie Smollett returned to Cook County court Thursday to learn his sentence for orchestrating a fake hate-crime attack that shocked the nation.
His supporters have sent a flood of letters to Judge James Linn applauding Smollett’s character and seeking leniency. City officials have written they hope Smollett is required to pay more than $130,000 in overtime costs police incurred
