Breaking: Judge says Jussie Smollett can bail out of jail pending his appeal

A judge said Wednesday that Jussie Smollett could be released from jail for his conviction over a hoax racist attack while his appeal is pending.

Smollett garnered national ridicule when he claimed that he had been the victim of a racial and homophobic attack in Chicago in 2019. Two brothers later told police that he had paid them to fake the attack in order to gain sympathy from the public.

He was convicted in December of five of six felony disorderly conduct charges over the staged crime, and on Thursday he was sentenced to 150 days in jail as well as 30 months probation, a $25,000 fine, and $120,000 in restitution.

Smollett's attorneys argued for bail based on the threat of physical harm from other inmates against Smollett if he were to be imprisoned. They also pointed out that once the appeal process was decided, he would have likely already served the entire jail sentence.

On Wednesday, the First District Court of Appeals agreed and released Smollett on bail of $150,000.

A doctor's letter also said that Smollett was at higher risk if he contracted coronavirus in jail due to undisclosed health issues.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office said that Smollett would be in custody in a cell by himself and be monitored by video cameras. They added that a guard would be posted at the cell door. He would also have "substantial" time outside of the cell but would not intermingle with other prisoners.

Smollett was emotional and yelled out that he was not suicidal when he was sentenced to jail.

"I am not suicidal, and I am innocent!" he said in court.

Here's more about the Smollett conviction:

Jussie Smollett Has MENTAL BREAKDOWN After Judge Destroys Himwww.youtube.com