As I write this, two reporters following the Jussie Smollett trial from the courthouse have reported the jury has reached a verdict.

BREAKING: Verdict in Jussie Smollett case

— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 9, 2021

The jury deliberated for just over nine hours, we think.

— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) December 9, 2021

Jussie Smollett and his family were not at the courthouse today. However, Matt Finn reported earlier that they were stationed somewhere nearby because the Judge had told everyone that once a verdict came in he expected the parties to assemble in the courtroom within about 20 minutes. As I mentioned yesterday, there are no cameras in the courtroom so the verdict will be relayed on Twitter.

The jury got the case yesterday afternoon after hearing final arguments from both sides. They were in the deliberation room for about two hours but that apparently included time for them to eat dinner. Today, they started deliberations again just after 9 am and took breaks for lunch and dinner.

Smollett jury hits 8 hours. Dinner just ordered.

— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 9, 2021

Smollett is facing six counts of disorderly conduct related to the (allegedly) false police report he filed about the “attack.” If convicted on all counts he could face three years in prison but I’ve seen several legal commenters suggest that’s unlikely in this case. In any case, if he’s convicted sentencing will probably take place in a couple weeks.

Ola Osundairo is in the overflow flow room for the Smollett verdict pic.twitter.com/kr7ibuJhZ9

— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) December 9, 2021

As I sit here waiting for word of the verdict to appear I’m having OJ Simpson flashbacks. I was in a friend’s apartment in Pittsburgh when that verdict was read. Neither of us could believe it.

We’re still waiting for the verdict… Here’s some live coverage and discussion as we wait:

FNC’s Matt Finn says we’re waiting on Smollett and his family.

We are waiting for Jussie Smollett to return to the courthouse. So far no sign of him or his attorneys.

— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 9, 2021

A moment after that tweet, live coverage showed Smollett pulling up to the courthouse and going inside.

Jussie Smollett has arrived at the courthouse to hear the verdict in his trial. He's facing six disorderly conduct charges for allegedly making false reports to police that he was the victim of a hate crime. pic.twitter.com/Vs5HQgaXO5

— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) December 9, 2021

Smollett in courtroom. Standby.

— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) December 9, 2021

Here it is: Guilty of felony disorderly conduct on five of six counts.

///BREAKING/// A jury has convicted former “Empire” actor #JussieSmollett of faking a hate crime on himself on a frigid night in Chicago in January 2019. Details to come. pic.twitter.com/HNF9q2waH5

— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) December 9, 2021

Smollett showed little reaction, standing straight at the defense table, dressed in dark suit, his hands folded in front of him.

— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) December 9, 2021

It’s not clear yet why Smollett was found not guilty on the 6th count. If the jury was convinced he was lying I wonder why he got around that one charge.

Correction to one thing I wrote above. Experts now saying it may be 2 to 3 months before sentencing. Smollett is expected to appeal the decision. I guess we’ll see if the claims that the judge “lunged” at one of Smollett’s attorneys is taken seriously, but that could take a while.

I think the big story here is that Kim Foxx almost got away with dismissing this case entirely. It took the appointment of a special prosecutor to get this conviction.

How long before we get corrections from all the media outlets who jumped on this case early on?

Looking forward to the latest editor's note on this piece: https://t.co/ZClP1SLrZp

— Jeryl Bier (@JerylBier) December 9, 2021

Never forget all the usual suspects who bought into this from the start.

Update: A few more comments from the prosecutor. He says he’s glad Smollett’s “ridiculous story” didn’t convince the jury. He notes that he plans to point out during sentencing that Smollett lied to the jury.

This made me laugh:

.@JussieSmollett Don't beat yourself up too much over this verdict.

— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) December 9, 2021