News Jussie Smollett deserves punishment for hate crime hoax, but he also deserves compassion February 25, 2019 Daniel Payne, Opinion contributor Comments Off on Jussie Smollett deserves punishment for hate crime hoax, but he also deserves compassion Jussie Smollett is not Lex Luthor; he’s more like an inept shoplifter caught trying to steal a canned ham. We should consider feeling sorry for him.