May 10th 2024.
A judge in Kansas has made the decision to proceed with a trial for former University of Illinois basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr. on a charge of rape. This came after a woman testified on Friday about her terrifying experience during the alleged assault. Shannon, who is from Chicago and is now 23 years old, appeared before Judge Sally Pokorny in Douglas County District Court for a preliminary hearing. According to a criminal complaint, he is facing one count of rape or an alternative count of aggravated sexual battery, which is a serious felony offense.
The jury trial for Shannon is set to begin on June 10, as confirmed by court officials. Shannon's lawyer, Mark Sutter from Sutter Law Group in Oakbrook Terrace, stated that his client has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Sutter also expressed that their legal team is not surprised or disappointed by the outcome of the preliminary hearing, as it is simply a procedural step to determine if there is enough evidence to bring the case to trial. He reassured that Shannon's guilt or innocence will be decided by a jury at the trial, and they are looking forward to their day in court.
The charges against Shannon stem from a trip he took to Lawrence, Kansas in September to watch an Illinois football game against the University of Kansas. According to an affidavit from Lawrence police, a woman born in 2005 reported that Shannon had put his hand under her skirt, grabbed her buttocks, and penetrated her with his finger at a crowded bar near campus. At Friday's hearing, the woman testified about being terrified during the incident, while Shannon also took the stand and denied ever touching her. This was reported by the Lawrence Journal-World.
In December, Shannon was charged with one count of rape or an alternative count of misdemeanor sexual battery. He turned himself in and was released on a $50,000 bond. However, a recent amended complaint has elevated one of the charges to aggravated sexual battery, while the rape charge remains. A public information officer for the Douglas County district attorney's office stated that there is enough evidence to support this alternative charge, as was presented during the preliminary hearing.
Shannon was initially suspended from all team activities by the University of Illinois and missed six games. However, a federal judge later issued a temporary restraining order, allowing him to continue playing. In April, the university closed a student misconduct investigation of Shannon due to lack of evidence. Shannon went on to have a successful season, helping the Illini win the Big Ten Tournament and was voted Most Outstanding Player. They also made it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before losing to eventual champion, Connecticut.
As the Associated Press contributed to this report, it is clear that Shannon's case has received widespread attention. The trial will now be the next step in determining the truth behind the allegations against him.
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