Michael Semanchik, managing attorney at the California Innocence Project, is familiar with such cases, having reviewed hundreds of wrongful conviction claims.
He said that in those cases, "exoneration" means a situation "where somebody's been convicted of a crime, they go to prison, and we get the conviction not only reversed, but charges dismissed," he told ABC News.
Since Trump never had any charges filed against him and Smollett did not go through the full criminal justice process -- including a trial where one conviction is initially rendered and then overturned, vacated -- their situations don't fit the traditional definition of "exonerated." "While this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him," Mueller wrote, as quoted by Barr.
Browne-Marshall thinks Trump's use of the word in the face of Mueller's quote shows that "there continues to be an element of braggadocio mixed with outright storytelling when it comes toAs for the Smollett case, Semanchik also notes how it differs from many exoneration cases he's handled because -- while the charges were dismissed -- the actor forfeited his $10,000 bond and did two days of community service."That's a very strange situation," Semanchik said.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why prosecutors dropped charges against Jussie Smollett in favor of an 'alternative resolution''This was not an exoneration.' Why prosecutors dropped charges against Jussie Smollett in favor of an 'alternative resolution:
Read more »
Why did prosecutors drop all charges against Jussie Smollett?Police said investigators had more than enough evidence to convict actor Jussie Smollett but in an unexpected turn of events, prosecutors decided to drop all charges against him.
Read more »
Why prosecutors dismissed the charges against Jussie SmollettThe dismissal of the 'Empire' star's case left unanswered questions. Here are some answers.
Read more »
FBI reviewing why charges were dropped against 'Empire' actor Jussie SmollettLATEST: FBI reviewing why charges were dropped against 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett.
Read more »
Jussie Smollett legal team: Prosecutors flip-flopping on why they dropped chargesSmollett's legal team is taking offense with comments made by Cook County State’s Attorney's Office officials, saying prosecutors and police are 'continuing their campaign' against the actor.
Read more »
Meet Andrew Yang, the 44-year-old running for president who wants to give $1,000 free cash per monthMeet Andrew Yang, the 44-year-old running for president who wants to give $1,000 free cash per month via CNBCMakeIt
Read more »
All criminal charges dropped against Smollett – US actor's attorneysChicago authorities infuriated by lack of details on why prosecutors dropped charges against Jussie Smollett, the 'Empire' actor accused of faking a racist, anti-gay attack on himself
Read more »
New Trump attack on Obamacare leaves Dems wondering: Why now?We stand for the belief that all Americans should have the freedom that comes with good health care. Millions of Americans would lose their health care if this administration had their way. Beto O'Rourke: 'We will defend the ACA.
Read more »
PBS chief: ‘I wish I knew’ why Trump wants to defund usPaula Kerger, the longtime president and CEO of PBS, worries that local stations in underserved areas have the most to lose in the administration’s latest budget cuts.
Read more »