Judge allows cameras in courtroom for Jussie Smollett’s expected sentencing next month

Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett speaks to Judge James Linn after his sentence is read on March 10, 2022, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Leighton Criminal Court Building after all charges were dropped in his disorderly conduct case on March 26, 2019.
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
After bonding out, "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Cook County Jail in Chicago, Feb. 21, 2019.
Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Cook County Jail after he was ordered to be released.
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Special prosecutor Dan Webb, center, arrives for the Jussie Smollett verdict at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Dec. 9, 2021.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Former Empire actor Jussie Smollett, second from right, arrives to the Leighton Criminal Court Building for his arraignment on Feb. 24, 2020, in Chicago. Smollett faces charges that he made false statements to police regarding a staged homophobic and racist attack in Chicago last year.
Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett walks outside the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Nov. 29, 2021. Earlier in the day, a jury was selected for the trial of the former "Empire" actor who is accused of commissioning a fake hate crime on himself three years ago to boost his career.
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett (third from right) leaves the Cook County Jail after posting bond on Feb. 21, 2019.
E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett leaves the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, Dec. 9, 2021, after he was found guilty on five of six disorderly conduct charges for allegedly giving false information to Chicago police about an alleged racial and homophobic attack in January 2019.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Special prosecutor Dan Webb, center, arrives for the Jussie Smollett trial at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago on Dec. 8, 2021.
Tom Gianni / AP
In this courtroom sketch, "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett, appears in from before Cook County Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr. with his attorney Jack Prior at Cook County Court, Feb. 21, 2019, in Chicago. Smollett has made his first court appearance on charges that he falsely reported being beaten by two men last month in downtown Chicago. The judge set bond at $100,000, meaning that Smollett must post $10,000 to be released. Police say the 36-year-old actor staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself because he was unhappy about his salary and wanted to promote his career. Smollett said little during the hearing, except to state his name.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Judge James Linn reads his sentence for actor Jussie Smollett on March 10, 2022, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett, third from left, walks out to speak to the media after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Special prosecutor Dan Webb arrives to the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago on Nov. 30, 2021.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb speaks to media following a status hearing concerning actor Jussie Smollett at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Aug. 23, 2019.
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Special prosecutor Dan Webb speaks to the media inside the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 10, 2022, after Jussie Smollett was sentenced to serve jail time for his felony conviction.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Attorney Gloria Schmidt speaks for brothers Olabinjo Osundairo, far right, and Abimbola Osundairo after attending a court appearance for Jussie Smollett on Feb. 24, 2020.
Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett peeks from behind a bodyguard as he leaves the Cook County Jail with his legal team after posting bond on Feb. 21, 2019.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett and his attorneys listen as his sentence is read on March 10, 2022, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
After bonding out, "Empire" television actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Cook County Jail in Chicago, Feb. 21, 2019.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Leighton Criminal Court Building after all charges were dropped in his disorderly conduct case on March 26, 2019.
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett enters the Leighton Criminal Court Building, March 12, 2019, for a hearing on whether cameras will be allowed in the courtroom on the criminal charges he faces.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett defense attorney Nenye Uche arrives for Smollett's trial at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago on Dec. 7, 2021.
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Relatives of Jussie Smollett leave the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 10, 2022, after Smollett was sentenced to serve jail time for his felony conviction.
Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune
A light shines on the door of a residence that was served with a search warrant in the investigation of the attack on actor Jussie Smollett in the Streeterville neighborhood, Feb. 14, 2019, in Chicago.
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Prosecutor Dan Webb, center, arrives to the Leighton Criminal Court House in advance of the sentencing hearing for former Empire actor Jussie Smollett on March 10, 2022.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Former U.S. Attorney Dan Webb takes the oath of special prosecutor during a status hearing concerning actor Jussie Smollett at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Aug. 23, 2019.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett arrives with his family to the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago on Dec. 7, 2021.
Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune
Olabinjo Osundairo, second left, and Abimbola Osundairo arrive at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on July 14, 2021.
Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune
From left, Abimbola "Abel" Osundairo, one of the brothers connected to the alleged staged hate crime involving Jussie Smollett, his attorney Gloria Schmidt Rodriguez, and Osundairo's brother Olabinjo Osundairo, walk outside the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Dec. 2, 2021.
Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune
Abimbola "Abel" Osundairo, one of the brothers connected to the alleged staged hate crime involving Jussie Smollett, and his attorney Gloria Schmidt Rodriguez walk through the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, Dec. 1, 2021 in Chicago.
Jose A. Iglesias/el Nuevo Herald
Actor Jussie Smollett, left, a 2019 inductee of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, with Rep. Frederica S. Wilson and actor and humanitarian Danny Glover, who was also a 2019 inductee.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Deputy special prosecutor Sam Mendenhall speaks during a sentencing hearing for actor Jussie Smollett on March 10, 2022 at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Cheryl Cook/AP
In this courtroom sketch, Special prosecutor Dan Webb, left, cross examines actor Jussie Smollett on Dec. 7, 2021.
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Special prosecutor Dan Webb speaks to the press, Dec. 9, 2021, after former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett was found guilty on five of six disorderly conduct charges for allegedly giving false information to Chicago police about an alleged racial and homophobic attack in January 2019.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Special prosecutor Dan Webb arrives at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Dec. 6, 2021.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett appears with his attorneys at his sentencing hearing, March 10, 2022, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett's attorney Tina Glandian speaks to the media after a court appearance Feb. 24, 2020, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett arrives to the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Nov. 29, 2021, ahead of jury selection for his trial.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Leighton Criminal Court Building after all charges were dropped in his disorderly conduct case on March 26, 2019.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Special prosecutor Dan Webb arrives for the Jussie Smollett trial at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago on Dec. 7, 2021.
Teresa Crawford/AP
A surveillance camera is seen near the spot where "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett allegedly staged an attack in Chicago. Chicago police tapped into a vast network of surveillance cameras _ and some homeowners' doorbell cameras _ to help determine the identities of two brothers who later claimed they were paid by "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett to stage a racist and homophobic attack.
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett supporter Sandra Gentry, of Chicago, chants as Smollett arrives for a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 14, 2019.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Leighton Criminal Court Building after all charges were dropped in his disorderly conduct case on March 26, 2019.
Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett, center, leaves the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago with supporters on Dec. 8, 2021, as the jury begins deliberations in his criminal trial.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Photographers covering former Empire actor Jussie Smollett, fourth from left, fall as Smollett arrives to the Leighton Criminal Court Building for his arraignment on Feb. 24, 2020, in Chicago.
E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett leaves the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, Dec. 9, 2021, after he was found guilty on five of six disorderly conduct charges for allegedly giving false information to Chicago police about an alleged racial and homophobic attack on him in January 2019.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett, the "Empire" star who has been charged for lying to police about an alleged fabricated attack, speaks to the media after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett is surrounded by the media as he waits for his car to pick him up after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Special prosecutor Dan Webb speaks during a sentencing hearing for actor Jussie Smollett on March 10, 2022, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Cook County Jail on March 16, 2022, after he was ordered to be released pending appeal of his conviction and 150-day sentence.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett arrives to the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Nov. 29, 2021, ahead of jury selection for his trial.
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Actors Jussie Smollett, left, and Terrence Howard attend the 2018 Fox Network Upfront at Wollman Rink in New York on May 14, 2018.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Special prosecutor Dan Webb at a hearing during which Jussie Smollett's case was assigned to a judge Feb. 24, 2020.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett departs after a court appearance Feb. 24, 2020, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Judge James Linn speaks during a sentencing hearing for actor Jussie Smollett on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett appears for a hearing where his case was assigned to a judge Feb. 24, 2020, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett arrives with his family to the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago on Nov. 30, 2021.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP 2016
Actor and singer Jussie Smollett attends the "Empire" FYC Event in Los Angeles.
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Defense attorney Nenye Uche speaks to the press after former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett was found guilty on five of six disorderly conduct charges on Dec. 9, 2021.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Former Empire actor Jussie Smollett, center right, arrives to the Leighton Criminal Court Building for his arraignment on Feb. 24, 2020.
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson speaks about the details of the arrest and charges of Jussie Smollett at Chicago police headquarters on Feb. 21, 2019. Pictured on the right is chief of detectives, Melissa Staples.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett speaks to the media after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett is led out of the courtroom after being sentenced to jail time on March 10, 2022, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett arrives for his trial at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Dec. 6, 2021.
E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
Former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett enters the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Dec. 9, 2021, in Chicago where he was found guilty on five of six disorderly conduct charges for allegedly giving false information to Chicago police about an alleged racial and homophobic attack in January 2019.
Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett, second right, enters the Leighton Criminal Court Building on July 14, 2021.
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Nenye Uche, center, a defense attorney for Jussie Smollett, speaks to the media outside the Cook County Jail in Chicago on March 16, 2022, after his client was released pending an appeal.
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Former Empire actor Jussie Smollett arrives to the Leighton Criminal Court House flanked by family members in advance of his sentencing hearing on March 10, 2022.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett, center, waves as he walks out of the Leighton Criminal Court Building after all charges were dropped in his disorderly conduct case on March 26, 2019.
Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune
Sheila O'Brien, a former appellate judge pressing to probe the state's attorney's office, gestures while walking through the Leighton Criminal Court Building on May 23, 2019, in Chicago. She called the judge's decision unsealing the court file a good first step.
Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune
Flanked by family, supporters, and security, Jussie Smollett walks outside the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Dec. 2, 2021.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett arrives with his family to the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago on Dec. 8, 2021. Smollett is accused of faking an attack on himself in Chicago 3 years ago.
Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune
Former Empire actor Jussie Smollett, center, arrives to the Leighton Criminal Court Building for his arraignment on Feb. 24, 2020, in Chicago.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett listens as his sentence is read at a hearing on March 10, 2022, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett looks back as he arrives with his family to the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago on Nov. 30, 2021. Smollett is accused of faking an attack on himself in Chicago three years ago.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett departs after a court appearance Feb. 24, 2020, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett enters the Leighton Criminal Court Building on July 14, 2021, in Chicago. Judge James Linn is expected to hear testimony about whether one of Smollett's would-be attorneys, Nenye Uche, has a conflict of interest that could disqualify him from representing the actor in his hot-button criminal case.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett appears with his attorneys at his sentencing hearing, March 10, 2022, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett departs amid a crush of cameras after a court appearance Feb. 24, 2020, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett enters the Leighton Criminal Court Building, March 12, 2019, for a hearing on whether cameras will be allowed in the courtroom on the criminal charges he faces.
Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett walks out to speak to the media after all charges against him are dropped at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 26, 2019.
Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett gestures to supporters who chant for him as he arrives for a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 14, 2019.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Brothers Olabinjo Osundairo, left, and Abimbola Osundairo depart after attending a court appearance for Jussie Smollett on Feb. 24, 2020, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Cheryl Cook/AP
In this courtroom sketch, actor Jussie Smollett takes the stand in his own defense, Dec. 6, 2021, at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.
E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune
Actor Jussie Smollett appears for a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on March 14, 2019.
Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune
Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, left, and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel speak during a news conference to react to the dropping of charges against actor Jussie Smollett by the Cook County state's attorney's office on March 26, 2019.
Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett, center, leaves the Cook County Jail in Chicago on March 16, 2022.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Tina Glandian, attorney for actor Jussie Smollett, speaks at his sentencing hearing, March 10, 2022, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune
Jussie Smollett leaves the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, Nov. 29, 2021, in Chicago.

By Jason Meisner | jmeisner@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune and Megan Crepeau | mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune

PUBLISHED: February 25, 2022 at 3:17 p.m. | UPDATED: February 25, 2022 at 8:30 p.m.

The alleged hoax attack on actor Jussie Smollett may not have been caught on camera, but his upcoming sentencing in a Cook County courtroom will be.

Reversing his previous order, Judge James Linn on Friday ruled that news cameras will be allowed into his courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Court Building when Smollett is sentenced on March 10.

Cameras had been barred during the actor’s high-profile trial last year. Linn also had initially denied a request for cameras at sentencing, but changed his mind after a hearing Thursday at which an attorney representing local news stations urged him to reconsider.

“We believe this case is of critical importance to the public — it developed not only local but worldwide interest,” attorney Steven Mandell said in court Thursday, arguing that increased transparency can help ensure trust in the justice system.

Smollett’s attorneys, by contrast, argued that reporters were able to cover the trial extensively without the benefit of cameras, and after all, the case only involved low-level felony charges.

“Very powerful political figures have been commenting on this case since 2019,” Nenye Uche, Smollett’s lead defense attorney, said in court. “… What we are afraid of is if cameras are put in the courtroom, beyond the possible distractions, we don’t want anyone attempting to exert any sort of influence on our judicial process.”

The team of special prosecutors who were appointed to handle the Smollett case took no position on whether cameras should be allowed.

A jury convicted Smollett in December on five out of six counts of disorderly conduct, a Class 4 felony. Prosecutors said he falsely reported to police that he was a victim of a hate crime attack in the early morning hours of Jan. 29, 2019.

Smollett’s attorneys are scheduled to present post-trial motions on March 10; if they are denied, the case will proceed to a sentencing hearing.

Linn, who presided over Smollett’s trial, will have a range of options come sentencing. Class 4 felonies carry penalties of one to three years in prison, but also probation or conditional discharge, which is similar to probation but with less strict conditions.

It is likely that if Smollett is sentenced on all five counts, the sentences will run concurrent with each other, but Linn would have the option to impose consecutive sentences if he determines it is necessary to protect the public from further criminal conduct by Smollett.

News cameras are not allowed in Cook County courtrooms except by explicit permission from the judge.

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

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Judge allows cameras in courtroom for Jussie…

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Judge allows cameras in courtroom for Jussie Smollett’s expected sentencing next month

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