Tina Lawson Speaks Up In Defense Of Jussie Smollett, Calls Sentencing 'Unjust'

Tina Lawson is speaking up on Jussie Smollett's recent sentencing and sharing her thoughts on the justification of his jail time.

Lawson is echoing the sentiments of many black celebrities that Smollett’s five-month jail time is unfair and doesn’t match his crime.

As you know, Jussie was found guilty by the jury for staging a hate crime against himself in 2019 and filing false police reports.

He was sentenced to 150 days in Cook County Jail alongside a fine of $25,000. The “Empire” actor was also ordered to pay restitution of over $120,000 to the City of Chicago for the resources spent on the case.

Alongside a short clip detailing Smollett’s prison sentence and how his lawyers are calling for an appeal, Lawson shared her thoughts on the situation.

She began, “No matter what opinion you have of whether or not Jussie Smollet did what he is accused of or not. The punishment does not fit the crime.”

Beyoncé’s mom continued, explaining that many people have walked away free from killing black people. “How many instances of our young black people have been murdered in the last year , and the people whom they were with are walking free?” Lawson asked.

She then referenced the January 2021 attack on the US Capitol, saying the perpetrators haven’t been punished.

”And then they give this man five months in Jail. Are you kidding me? This is unjust . This man is not a threat to society,” Ms Lawson lamented.

She compared Smollett’s sentencing to the “disparities between how we are treated as opposed to our white counterparts.”  She then urged the Black family to not let the injustice slide.

”Trust me you and your family might be next ! So let's make some noise about this and ask for probation,” Lawson stated.

The 68-year-old businesswoman opened up her particular thoughts on the ruling, alleging that the judge who ruled over the case was “obviously biased and very disrespectful.”

Lawson claimed that the judge wanted to “disrespect and discredit the previous District Attorney Kim Fox’s” who is a black woman.

She pled with her fans to do their own research about the case and compare the time Smollett was given to the crime he committed. “They want to destroy this man,” Lawson lamented.

The “Fool in Love” singer gave a disclaimer, urging those who might disagree with her to be respectful while at it.

“Black people wake up don't let them do this, it is the start of something very dangerous for our people make some noise sign petitions call the politicians in your jurisdiction please,” Lawson wrote.

In her concluding statement, the mother-of-two brought up Kyle Rittenhouse acquittance, stating that he “cried crocodile tears and walked free after killing two people.”

“Please call your congressman and sign petitions Do not let them get away with this racist act,” she urged.

Many gathered under the post and seemingly agreed with Lawson’s sentiment. Actress Holly Elizabeth Peete supported the argument, writing, “Thank you Tina. I have known this year man since he was a little boy. I have a hard time reconciling all the things they said about him. But like you said regardless he should not be in jail. He has lost so much and he has paid dearly.”

Lawson isn’t the only celebrity that has spoken up in Smollett’s defense. As The Blast reported days ago, the actor’s “Empire” co-star, Taraji P. Henson, lamented the five-month jail sentence in a social media post.

Alongside a black poster with the words #FREJUSSIE, Henson wrote, “I am not here to debate you on his innocence but we can agree that the punishment does not fit the crime.”

The “Acrimony” actress compared Jussie’s cast to that of 14-year-old Emmett Hill who was brutally murdered in 1955 for offending a white woman.

She stated that despite the woman confessing that she lied about the event, Till’s killers were never convicted.

Bringing back to Jussie’s case, she wrote, “No one was hurt or killed during Jussie’s ordeal. He has already lost everything, EVERYTHING! To me as an artist not able to create that in itself is punishment enough.”

Henson noted that Smollett was already in “prison” since he couldn’t get anyone in Hollywood to hire her. She concluded her statement, praying that Smollett “is freed and out on house arrest and probation.”