Jussie Smollett indicted.

[Fly320s]

The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they do turn.

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/jussie-smollett-indicted-chicago-empire-special-prosecutor

[Ben]

I'll believe it when he's convicted and given the same sentence a random schmuck off the street would get.

[RoadKingLarry]

^^^
What he said.

[Hawkmoon]

I'll believe it when he's convicted and given the same sentence a random schmuck off the street would get.

To borrow a phrase from RKL:

^^^
What he said.

[Perd Hapley]

Sorry, haters, but I agree with what Ben said.

[MechAg94]

So y'all think a slap on the hand plea deal is in the works?

[Ben]

So y'all think a slap on the hand plea deal is in the works?

Sorry to come off as a deplorable, racist, homophobe, but he's an elitist celebrity*, black, and gay. He's got connections and diversity points. It might not be a "get out of jail free" card, but I bet it'll be one of those lame ass probation/community service things where the community service is a catered event. He'll also probably end up making money out of the whole thing.

* Though I never even heard of him before this whole thing started.

[dogmush]

What do we think the normal sentence for false reporting of an assault would be?

I can't imagine that's a maximum sentence, jail time kind of thing, especially with no prior record. Does anyone know of a case where someone was prosecuted for false reporting?

Anecdotally I know a couple wives/girlfriends that falsely reported assaults,  and when they recanted they just let the guy go and dropped it.

[Perd Hapley]

What do we think the normal sentence for false reporting of an assault would be?

I can't imagine that's a maximum sentence, jail time kind of thing, especially with no prior record. Does anyone know of a case where someone was prosecuted for false reporting?

Anecdotally I know a couple wives/girlfriends that falsely reported assaults,  and when they recanted they just let the guy go and dropped it.

I bet those cases weren't international news stories that embarrassed the city and wasted vast sums of tax-payer funds.

[Ben]

What do we think the normal sentence for false reporting of an assault would be?

While it would never happen in real life, in Ben's World, the false reporter would face the same jail time as the innocent people they set up. In Smollett's case, I'll WAG that the "Trump supporters" would have gotten at least five years for the black/gay hate crime.

Also in Ben's World, there would be no such thing as a hate crime, or if there were, the punishment would be the same as for any other crime.

[K Frame]

Is he still wearing the noose around, or has he finally taken it off?

Wasn't that one of the rumors, that he alleged wore the noose for several hours after the incident?

[dogmush]

I bet those cases weren't international news stories that embarrassed the city and wasted vast sums of tax-payer funds.

While it would never happen in real life, in Ben's World, the false reporter would face the same jail time as the innocent people they set up. In Smollett's case, I'll WAG that the "Trump supporters" would have gotten at least five years for the black/gay hate crime.

Got it. This case is kinda different from a nobody filing a false report.

But there were a bunch of agreement's to Ben's post:

I'll believe it when he's convicted and given the same sentence a random schmuck off the street would get.

I don't disagree off hand, but I wonder what we think a random schmuck would get.  It's a genuine request for data.

I can google the law and find the max penalties, but I don't think those are likely for anyone, so how are we judging whether Jussie get's more, less, or the same justice a non celeb would get?  Does anyone know of a case where someone got jail time for faking an assault?  Any of those fake SJ folks from last election go to jail?  What is the norm?  While I understand that the City of Chicago spent some money and manpower investigating, it's not like it is known for great fiscal management.  His crime's "victim" is pretty nebulous.

[makattak]

Is he still wearing the noose around, or has he finally taken it off?

Wasn't that one of the rumors, that he alleged wore the noose for several hours after the incident?

I thought there was video to that effect.

I recall having seen at least a picture of the "noose" made with cotton clothesline rope around the French actor's neck. 

[Ben]

I don't disagree off hand, but I wonder what we think a random schmuck would get.  It's a genuine request for data.

I'd be curious as well. I would say there is a difference between the people who smash their cars with a baseball bat and cry "X" diversity hate crime, and the Smollett types, where he both hired people to smack him around, and then we initially "had video of the attackers", and I'm not giving high odds that Smollett would have come clean if some innocent randos were picked up and prosecuted. I think he would have let them go to jail, no problem.

Just like some of the stuff we've talked about in the past, where someone was accused and identified, but it was a case of spite and they were innocent. Their lives were still ruined, even after they were cleared of a crime. I can see letting the "car beater" go with probation or whatever, but when you plan something that would get innocent people locked up, you need to be locked up.

Not really the same thing, but it seems these celebrities involved in the college admissions scandal are getting off easy, and easier than someone without fame or money.

Then I guess we have the other side of it, where, for example, Roger Stone was up for 9 years in prison for something that would get someone else a slap, or wouldn't even be considered a crime. All because he's famous in the wrong way by being aligned with Trump.

[brimic]

I thought that it was a horrible precedent to not prosecute someone trying to cause social upheaval by committing fake hate crimes, I also think its probably worse, if there is no meaningful punishment handed down if he is prosecuted.

[K Frame]

I thought that it was a horrible precedent to not prosecute someone trying to cause social upheaval by committing fake hate crimes, I also think its probably worse, if there is no meaningful punishment handed down if he is prosecuted.

How can you prosecute someone when they self-identify as an honest person?

That would be hurty and wrong.

[Hawkmoon]

Is he still wearing the noose around, or has he finally taken it off?

Wasn't that one of the rumors, that he alleged wore the noose for several hours after the incident?

Not a rumor -- documented. He was still wearing it when the police showed up at his apartment in response to his call.

[brimic]

Not a rumor -- documented. He was still wearing it when the police showed up at his apartment in response to his call.

That's residue of the vision Obama had for America.

[K Frame]

Interesting.

I'd not followed the case closely at all, but I remember when it originally happened I just had this nagging feeling that there was something off about the allegations.

[Perd Hapley]

Got it. This case is kinda different from a nobody filing a false report.

But there were a bunch of agreement's to Ben's post:
 

I don't disagree off hand, but I wonder what we think a random schmuck would get.  It's a genuine request for data.

I can google the law and find the max penalties, but I don't think those are likely for anyone, so how are we judging whether Jussie get's more, less, or the same justice a non celeb would get?  Does anyone know of a case where someone got jail time for faking an assault?  Any of those fake SJ folks from last election go to jail?  What is the norm?  While I understand that the City of Chicago spent some money and manpower investigating, it's not like it is known for great fiscal management.  His crime's "victim" is pretty nebulous.

I would like Smollett to receive the same sentence as any nobody who reported a fake crime, which was international news, and embarrassed the city, and wasted vast sums of taxpayer funds.

Or think of it this way. Some of us would prefer heavier penalties for crying wolf, and we'd like for it to start with that inarticulate America-hating homosexual with the silly name.

[MechAg94]

I agree.  He should be prosecuted.  If found guilty, he should get a consistent sentence and forced to serve it out 100%.  No good behavior or early release.

[Angel Eyes]

I would like Smollett to receive the same sentence as any nobody who reported a fake crime

Some have suggested that Smollett should receive the same punishment as the perpetrator of the "hate crime", had it actually occurred.

[dogmush]

I would like Smollett to receive the same sentence as any nobody who reported a fake crime, which was international news, and embarrassed the city, and wasted vast sums of taxpayer funds.
.

And that sentance would be.........?

[MechAg94]

Some have suggested that Smollett should receive the same punishment as the perpetrator of the "hate crime", had it actually occurred.

That is fine and all, but it sure seems like such a law would just be another in a long list of laws that don't really accomplish much.  Lying to police and/or perjury should offer plenty of punishment.  We need to simplify our criminal punishment laws and use them, not add on more.  If they actually prosecute him instead of doing the sweetheart plea deal, it should be enough.  

[JN01]

Six counts of disorderly conduct- I’m guessing he won’t be sent to the Big House.