The Western Journal Reports: WJussie Smollett, the actor convicted of orchestrating a “hate crime” against himself in 2019, appeared in an Illinois appellate court on Tuesday, seeking to have his convictions overturned.

Smollett’s lawyers argued that anger over the case led to the reinstatement of charges that had been properly dismissed, USA Today reported.

Smollett took a spectator’s seat in court, listening during the hour-long oral arguments before a three-judge panel, according to the outlet.

“Public outrage against the defendant cannot overrule the rule of law,” said one of Smollett’s lawyers, Nenye Uche.

If the appeal fails, Smollett will have to finish serving a 150-day jail sentence imposed in 2022. “Smollett spent just six days in jail before his release pending the outcome of the appeal. A ruling is expected to take several weeks,” USA Today reported.

According to USA Today, Smollett’s lawyers argued in his written appeal that his 2021 trial “violated his Fifth Amendment protections against double jeopardy — being punished for the same crime twice.”