Taraji P. Henson calls for Empire co-star Jussie Smollett's release: 'The punishment does not fit the crime'
![Taraji P. Henson](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7DwFPvxq2GpUw6tCMCs3PR-415-80.jpg)
Taraji P. Henson wants to #FreeJussie.
The Empire actor on Instagram called for her co-star Jussie Smollett to be released from jail after he was sentenced to 150 days for staging a fake hate crime against himself.
"I am not here to debate you on his innocence but we can agree that the punishment does not fit the crime," she wrote.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Henson argued Smollett should be placed on house arrest rather than jailed, saying the fact that "no one in Hollywood will hire" him anymore is punishment enough. "As an artist who loves to create, that is prison," she wrote. Henson also appeared to compare Smollett to Emmett Till, who was "brutally beat and ultimately murdered because of a lie and none of the people involved with his demise spent one day in jail." She added, "No one was hurt or killed during Jussie's ordeal."
A judge sentenced Smollett to 30 months probation after he was convicted of lying to police about being the victim of a hate crime. The judge ordered him to spend 150 days in county jail after lambasting him over "the pain" he "caused to real victims of hate crimes." In deciding the sentence, the judge also said he took into account the fact that Smollett "committed hour upon hour upon hour of pure perjury" during his trial by proclaiming his innocence.
Jurnee Smollett, Jussie's sister and star of HBO's Lovecraft Country, also shared the #FreeJussie hashtag on Instagram along with #StopLockingUpOurPeople, writing, "You don't have to believe in his innocence to believe he should be free."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - September 7, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - football widows, meddling kids, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Smoking ban: the return of the nanny state?
Talking Point Starmer's plan to revive Sunak-era war on tobacco has struck an unsettling chord even with some non-smokers
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: September 7, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published