After being sent to jail on five felony counts of disorderly conduct for lying to the police, Jussie Smollett has been released, pending the appeal of his conviction.

Smollett reportedly left the Cooks County jail on March 16, surrounded by security during the evening.  

After three years since the infamous hate crime in question, entertainer Smollett was sentenced on March 10 to 150 days in the Cook County jail and 30 months of felony probation. Smollett was found guilty by a jury.   

During and after the hearing, Smollett maintained his innocence.   

“I am innocent,” Smollett said as he raised his fist. “I could have said I am guilty a long time ago.”   

On top of jail and probation, Smollett was also ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago and a $25,000 fine, according to reports.   

“If I did this, then it means that I stuck my fist in the fears of Black Americans in this country for over 400 years and the fears of the LGBT community,” Smollett said while standing at the defense. “Your Honor, I respect you and I respect the jury but I did not do this. And I am not suicidal. And if anything happens to me when I go in there, I did not do it to myself. And you must all know that.”   

During the hearing, Smollett’s 92-year-old grandmother pleaded to the judge not to send him to jail.   

“I ask you, judge, not to send him to prison Molly Smollett said, before saying, “if you do, send me along with him, OK?”   

After sentencing, Smollett made a clear and intentional statement.    

“I am not suicidal,” he said, a nod of acknowledgment that some people with knowledge, money or power somehow are found dead by suicide in jail. “If anything happens to me when I go in there, you must all know that.”