Jussie Smollett: Samuel L Jackson and Alfre Woodard wrote letters to judge asking for leniency

The celebrities  who went to bat for Jussie Smollett after he was convicted of lying to police include Hollywood heavyweights Samuel L. Jackson and Alfre Woodard, who both wrote to the judge and begged him  not to jail the actor. 

Jackson and his wife LaTanya begged the judge not to give Smollett jail time, and said they were 'incredulous' about the entire case against him.

'My husband, actor Samuel L. Jackson, and I have known Jussie since he was a baby living down the street from us in New York City.

'We have often broken bread with this young man as we discussed the right and wrong ways to live.

Samuel L. Jackson and his wife LaTanya asked the judge to give Smollett leniency. They said they were 'incredulous' that he'd even been convicted 

The couple said they have 'broken bread' with Smollett many times and that he is 'worth the risk and the investment' 

'Jussie comes from a good family who we are proud to know intimately. Jussie has no prior record and has never been violent. 

'It is incredulous to Sam and to me that this entire criminal situation even exists.

'Jussie has already suffered a great deal of punishment, as this situation has destroyed his career and impugned his reputation,' LaTanya Jackson wrote in her letter. 

Woodard appealed to the judge directly, harkening back to when she met Jussie in South Africa and he referred to her as 'Mama Alfre'. 

'I am in my 60th decade and when he was a young teen, as we worked together to bring shelter, health and education to South Africa's AIDS orphans, Jussie referred to me as "Mama Alfre". 

'It is out of that bond that I make this appeal to you. Judge Linn, I know you and I are "meeting" in a situation that would cause some "Mamas" to lower their eyes. 

Actress Alfre Woodard referred to Smollett as her 'good friend' who she has known since she was a child 

Woodard appealed to the judge directly, harkening back to when she met Jussie in South Africa and he referred to her as 'Mama Alfre'

Jussie Smollett raises his fist in a Black Power salute as he is led out of court to begin his 150 day sentence, yelling over his shoulder: 'I am not suicidal! I am innocent!'

'But I must tell you, I am proud of this man, whom I know to be an exceptionally kind human being.

'My dear friend Jussie Smollett has been convicted of a nonviolent crime... he has already paid a personal and professional price that few in real power have even for crimes against the health and safety of millions.

'Through it all, Jussie has stood like the good man I know him to be. If he is incarcerated, I fear for his safety,' she said. 

Organizations including the NAACP and BLM also appealed to the judge. 

They questioned why the judge would impose jail time for a low level felony like the one Smollett was convicted of. 

The judge, in passing down his sentence yesterday, slammed Smollett as a 'charlatan' and a 'hypocrite'.  

He said it had been proven beyond reasonable doubt that he was guilty at trial. 

Smollett's lawyers say they plan to file an appeal.  

Judge James Linn is pictured sentencing Smollett to 150 days in Cook County jail