Jussie Smollett in Psych Ward Says Brother, Taraji P. Henson Calls For His Release

Martin Holmes March 14, 2022, 9:50 am

Taraji P. Henson and Jussie Smollett in Empire — Chuck Hodes / Fox / courtesy Everett Collection

Empire star Taraji P. Henson has come to the defense of her former castmate Jussie Smollett as the recently convicted actor is moved to the psychiatric ward at the Cook County jail.

“Jussie is currently in a psych ward at the Cook County Jail,” said Jussie’s brother Jocqui Smollett in a video posted to the former Empire star’s Instagram. “What’s very concerning is that there was a note attached to his paperwork today and put on the front of his jail cell saying that he’s at risk of self-harm.”

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Following his sentencing on Thursday for charges related to a hoax hate crime, Jussie told the courtroom that he would not kill himself while in custody. “I am not suicidal,” he said. “And if anything happens to me when I go in [jail], I did not do it to myself. And you must all know that.”

Jocqui added, “I want to just make it clear to folks that he is in no way, shape, or form at risk of self-harm. And he wants to let folks know that he is very stable, he is very strong, he is very healthy and ready to take on the challenge that ultimately has been put up against him.”

Henson also took to Instagram, where she called for Jussie to be placed in home confinement rather than jail — he was sentenced to 150 days incarceration in addition to being ordered to pay $120,000 restitution to the city of Chicago, plus a $25,000 fine, and to serve 30 months of probation. “I am not here to debate you on his innocence,” Henson wrote, “But we can agree that the punishment does not fit the crime.”

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The Golden Globe-winning actress went on to invoke Emmett Till, who “was brutally beat and ultimately murdered because of a lie,” adding that none of the people involved in his killing have spent one day in jail.

Jussie Smollett: Fans React After Actor Is Sentenced to 150 Days in Jail

“No one was hurt or killed during Jussie’s ordeal,” she continued. “He has already lost everything, EVERYTHING! To me as an artist not able to create that in itself is punishment enough… My prayer is that he is freed and put on house arrest and probation because in this case that would seem fair. Please #freejussie.”