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2023: Jussie Smollett Request To Toss Convictions, Illinois Appeals Court To Hear Arguments

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CHICAGO, Ill. — Jussie Smollett’s long legal saga resumes Tuesday when an Illinois appeals court hears oral arguments on whether the former “Empire” actor’s convictions for orchestrating a racist, homophobic attack on himself in 2019 and then lying about it to Chicago police should be overturned.

If Smollett’s appeal before the First District Appellate Court in Chicago fails, he will have to serve the 150-day sentence imposed by his trial court during his 2022 sentencing. Smollett was only imprisoned for six days before being released pending the outcome of his appeal. The decision is expected to take many weeks.

Jussie’s lawyers argue in a 76-page written appeal that his 2021 trial violated his Fifth Amendment rights against double jeopardy — being punished for the same conduct twice. According to the report, he previously completed community service and forfeited a $10,000 bond as part of a 2019 agreement with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to dismiss the initial allegations.

Smollett, who is Black and gay, was the victim of a racist court system and people playing politics, according to Nenye Uche, one of his lawyers, last year. Uche slammed special prosecutor Dan Webb’s plan to seek further charges in 2020. He also deemed the trial judge’s sentence for a low-level offense excessive.

In the appeal, Smollett’s legal team claims that Chief Prosecutor Kim Foxx’s office exercised legitimate discretion in dropping the original charges four years ago.

Jussie Smollett’s long legal saga resumes Tuesday when an Illinois appeals court hears oral arguments.

“If Mr. Smollett’s convictions are allowed to stand, this case will set a dangerous precedent by giving prosecutors a second bite at the apple any time there is dissatisfaction with another prosecutor’s exercise of discretion,” the appeal claims.

According to the special prosecutor’s 55-page letter, how the agreement with Foxx’s office was constructed left open the prospect of recharging Smollett without breaking double jeopardy safeguards.

“Smollett’s attacks on the validity of his prosecution are legally and factually unsupported,” it says.

Jussie stated to police in January 2019, on a bitterly cold day in Chicago, that he was the victim of a racial and homophobic attack by two individuals wearing ski masks. The pursuit of the perpetrators quickly devolved into a probe of Smollett himself, which led to his arrest on charges of masterminding the attack.

Jussie allegedly paid two individuals he knew from his work on the TV program “Empire” to arrange the attack. Prosecutors said he informed them what racist and homophobic obscenities to say, as well as that Smollett was in “MAGA Country,” a reference to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign slogan.

Jussie Smollett’s long legal saga resumes Tuesday when an Illinois appeals court hears oral arguments.

In 2021, a jury found Smollett guilty of five felony charges of disorderly conduct — the offense filed when someone lies to police. On the sixth count, he was acquitted.

Jussie was sentenced to 30 months of felony probation in 2022, with 150 days served in Cook County Jail, $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago and a $25,000 fine by Cook County Judge James Linn.

As he jailed Jussie, Judge Linn called him a narcissist and expressed surprise at the actor’s behavior, given his mixed family history and ties to social justice activities.

During sentencing, as Smollett was being carried to jail, he yelled that he was innocent, warning the judge that he was not suicidal and that if he died in custody, it would have been someone else’s fault.

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics. Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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King Charles Could Millions Annually from Renting His Properties

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Estimated Annual Rental Income of £1.4 Million

A recent analysis suggests that King Charles might earn over £1 million each year by renting out royal properties to holidaymakers.

The Royal Family’s historic houses and mansions are popular holiday rentals, contributing significantly to the Palace’s revenue.

Pikl Insurance estimates that the royals may earn up to £118,775.85 per month, or around £1,425,310.20 per year, from their holiday rental portfolio. Even after accounting for cancellations, the monarchy is anticipated to generate a net annual income of somewhat more over £1.4 million.

Estimated Annual Rental Income of £1.4 Million

The four primary royal properties accepting public bookings are Balmoral Castle, Castle of Mey’s Captain House, Restormel Manor, and Dumfries House, according to Express.co.uk. Cottages at Balmoral Castle in Scotland are expected to generate £36,798.30 per month after accounting for cancellations.

According to the numbers, the 500-year-old Restormel Manor in Cornwall is the most profitable of them all, earning a solid £47,082 every month. The resort, located in the Fowey Valley, has four booking spaces and six converted barns.

Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, adds an estimated £31,185.63 and offers 25 rooms for booking. The Castle of Mey’s Captain House in the Scottish Highlands is estimated to generate a more modest £3,709.92 per month, despite the fact that the entire property is available for booking.

The analysts stated, “While the Royal Family’s primary role is undoubtedly to serve the nation, it is clear that their properties are also a valuable asset.” These estimates highlight the royal estate’s considerable financial potential and provide an intriguing peek into the monarchy’s corporate operations.”

Royal Family received £86.3 million from the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant in the previous fiscal year, according to official numbers released in July.

All revenues from the Crown Estate, which includes royal households, forestry, agriculture, and offshore wind, are paid directly to the Treasury, with a portion of this money, now 12%, returned to the Royal Family to finance their tasks.

The records also cover a period of jubilation, including the coronation and festivities surrounding the King and Queen’s crowning in May of last year.

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Man Creates Candy Cane Car to Spread Christmas Cheer

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Clayman in his Grinch costume poses with his Candy Cane Car

In a delightful display of holiday spirit, a local resident in North Providence, Maine, has transformed his vehicle into a candy cane delight that is capturing hearts and spreading Christmas Cheer.

Over the past 15 years, Dave Clayman has transformed a simple 1991 Toyota Camry into a rolling holiday icon that captivates everyone who encounters it.

It’s wrapped in $3,000 worth of reflective tape, the same kind used on trailer trucks. Whether parked at a mall or cruising down the highway, you can’t miss it with its candy cane decorations.

This whimsical project started with an unusual idea. When an old exercise bike landed in Clayman’s possession, he mounted it on top of his car instead of letting it gather dust in his garage.

“There’s nothing like working out in the fresh air,” Dave said. That quirky addition quickly drew eyes, inspiring him to keep going.

The car features homemade rockets built from trash cans and salad bowls, candy cane-themed hubcaps, and candy cane lights dangling from the mounted exercise bike.

The Candy Cane Car cost Clayman $3,000

To top it off, it boasts a PA system and a custom horn, making it a true sensory experience.

The candy cane car has now become a local landmark every Christmas. Parked outside Clayman’s house, it’s a favourite backdrop for people snapping photos or simply stopping to admire it.

Some visitors even share stories of seeing the car as a child, reminiscing about how it’s been a beloved part of their neighbourhood for years.

“When people see it, their mood amplifies,” Clayman explained. “If they’re happy, they become happier. If they’re upset, well, they sometimes get angrier.” But for the most part, he estimates that over 96% of people love the festive car, particularly around Christmas.

Clayman said he used to wear a Santa costume when riding in his festive car for years. A few years ago, he bought a Grinch costume and never looked back.

“It’s like a state of euphoria. Every time I get behind the wheel and people see it,” he said. “Anything that people are in a better mood, it seems to make you in a better mood. It’s a labor of love you got to be committed to it.”

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Senate Approves Social Security Fairness Act, Heads to Final Vote

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Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times/TNS

(VOR News) – On Wednesday, the United States Senate Social Security passed a measure with a vote of 73-27, indicating that the legislation, which is co-sponsored by Senator Susan Collins of Maine, is likely to be implemented before the end of the year.

The law may be beneficial to personnel working in the public sector in Maine, including teachers, firefighters, and other workers.

The Social Security Fairness Act would repeal two restrictions that lower the amount of Social Security payments paid to public employees.

These regulations would be eliminated with the passage of the act. A provision known as the Windfall Elimination Provision makes it impossible for public employees who are currently receiving pensions to continue receiving them.

The Government Pension Offset, as it is commonly referred to, is designed to limit the amount of money that can be paid to the surviving spouses of recipients who are also receiving government pensions.

This problematic situation impacts Social Security benefits.”

In November 2024, the Social Security Administration reported that more than 2 million individuals, including more than 20,000 in the state of Maine, had their Social Security benefits reduced as a result of the Windfall Elimination Provision,” Collins stated in a statement that was released by her department.

In November 2024, the Government Pension Offset had an impact on more than 650,000 individuals, with more than 6,000 of those individuals residing in the state of Maine, according to the previously mentioned line of reasoning.

A vote of 327 to 75 was necessary for the measure to be approved by the House of Representatives the previous month. On Wednesday, Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader of the Senate, announced that he intended to work rapidly in order to deliver the act from the House of Representatives to the president’s desk.

As indicated by Schumer, who was speaking on the floor of the United States Senate today, “Passing this Social Security fix right before Christmas would be a great gift for our retired firefighters, police officers, postal workers, teachers, and others who have contributed to Social Security for years but are now being penalised because of their time spent serving the public.”

In the beginning, the measure was supported by two individuals: Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio, and Collins, a Republican. During her speech in support of the proposal, which was made on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday afternoon, Collins stated that the idea will have a significant impact on a number of individuals, including teachers in the state of Maine.

These advantages are the direct result of the effort that they put forth. During the course of her remarks, Collins asserted that the punishment in question was both unreasonable and unacceptable.

This will strain Social Security’s already shaky budget.

In a recent examination, it was discovered that the Windfall Elimination Provision was one of the primary problems that contributed to the difficulties that the teacher workforce in Maine is experiencing, which experts are referring to as a crisis.

A poll that was conducted and released by the non-profit organisation Educate Maine found that teachers in each and every county in the state of Maine identified the provision as a hindering factor in the process of recruiting new teachers.

According to the findings of the study, “this federal policy that reduces social security payouts is a disincentive,” which implies that it is detrimental to teachers who take on additional work and discourages people from switching careers in order to become teachers.

Sharon Gallant, a retired educator who worked in Gardiner for a total of 31 years, is one of the educators that are now employed there. Prior to beginning his career as a teacher in the public school system, Gallant was employed in the business sector. He made a little contribution to the Social Security system during the entirety of this time period.

“When you move into public education, you are faced with a certain degree of punishment,” according to her statement.

In letters that Gallant sent to Collins and to Sen. Angus King of Maine, who is an independent, he urged both of them to support the concept. She stated that even if it is unsuccessful, Maine will still have a difficult time recruiting teachers because of the clause that deters them from employment.

She made the observation, “If this does not pass, then it is just another reason not to enter public service.”

SOURCE: FR

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The Federal Reserve Will Drop Key Rates, But Consumers May Not Gain Immediately.

Canadian Dollar Hits Multi-Year Low Over Political Unrest

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