Former College of Illinois school basketball star Terrence Shannon Jr. was discovered not responsible on fees of rape and aggravated sexual battery by a Kansas jury on June 13 following a weeklong trial. Now followers need Shannon’s accuser to face repercussions.
Shannon, 23, was accused of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old lady in September on the Martini Room, a bar close to the College of Kansas campus.
Shannon attended a Kansas-Illinois soccer recreation on Sept. 8. The unidentified lady advised police a person on the bar pulled her over to him and groped her within the early morning hours of Sept. 9. She accused the suspect of grabbing her buttocks, reaching underneath her skirt and penetrating her together with his fingers shortly after they met.
A couple of months later, Shannon discovered he would face felony fees. He was arrested in December after the girl recognized him from his Illinois basketball staff picture, which was simply accessible on-line. Shannon was charged with “unlawfully, feloniously, and knowingly [engaging] in sexual activity with an individual … who didn’t consent to the sexual activity underneath circumstances when she was overcome by pressure or worry, a severity degree 1 individual felony.”
“I used to be positively uncomfortable […]I don’t know why I didn’t [walk away]. However I want I did,” the accuser mentioned in the course of the trial.
Nonetheless, the basketball star persistently denied the allegations towards him. “I by no means touched, grabbed, pulled over. … That didn’t occur,” Shannon advised the jury as soon as the trial began, per printed experiences.
Shortly after the arrest, the Illinois basketball staff determined to droop Shannon indefinitely and launched an unbiased probe of their very own. The college ultimately dropped its investigation resulting from what the varsity described as inadequate proof. Shannon was allowed again on the court docket after retaining a brief restraining order. He had already missed six video games however nonetheless managed to guide Illinois to the NCAA Event, reaching the Elite Eight earlier than dropping to nationwide champion Connecticut.
A number of witnesses, together with a present Kansas Jayhawks basketball participant, backed up Shannon’s account and mentioned he didn’t witness the Illinois participant appearing inappropriately with the girl in the course of the night time in query.
Attorneys additionally mentioned Shannon’s DNA was not recovered from the accuser’s physique throughout an examination on the hospital and introduced textual content messages from the alleged sufferer in a bunch chat together with her associates the place she shared the ESPN hyperlink of the basketball participant’s arrest and her associates joked that she “Obtained his a—” together with money-face emojis.
Following the not-guilty verdict, Mark Sutter, considered one of Shannon’s attorneys, mentioned, “We’re pleased with the end result. Terrence Shannon Jr. lastly bought his day in court docket. We denied the allegations again in September, and on that date, we pledged that in the future quickly, we might have our day in court docket, and we did. And we’re pleased with the end result. And, on the finish of the day, I believe the general public at massive owes Shannon Jr. an apology.”
Shannon launched a press release saying he was now prepared to maneuver on from the state of affairs and concentrate on his future.
“Thanks to everybody who stood by me these final 9 months,” the assertion learn. “I knew I used to be harmless of those horrible crimes and I had religion in God that sometime everybody else would know that too. I’m so grateful to all of you for believing in me, particularly my household, associates and authorized staff whose help stored me going. I’m able to put this chapter of my life behind me and totally concentrate on my path ahead.”
The decision sparked robust reactions on social media from many who felt there needs to be a “punishment” for false allegations.
“Shannon mustn’t let this go. I might go after her for defamation and the prosecutor and police detectives for malicious prosecution,” one individual urged.
One other social media customers expressed related sentiments. “Anybody who falsely accuses somebody of rape needs to be publicly shamed and incarcerated.”
“Now it’s time to lock that lady up and throw away the important thing,” tweeted a fan.
“Individuals who deliver false accusations towards harmless individuals should be held accountable and serve jail time themselves. I’m glad he gained however the accuser must face some kind of punishment for what they did,” one other individual tweeted.
NBA famous person LeBron James additionally chimed and supplied help for Shannon.
“To my Younger (king) Terrance Shannon Jr! Love and Salute you! Happy with you!!,” James wrote. “God is Good! The apologies needs to be 30X louder than the hate he bought however we all know the way it goes. In any case again to the common scheduled program. Nice days forward!”
Illinois coach Brad Underwood mentioned he’s “thrilled for Terrence” and counseled him for displaying a “large composure, maturity, and focus” within the months following the accusations.
Earlier than the accusations surfaced, Shannon was projected to be a first-round draft choice. However Shannon’s legal professional confirmed that he’ll work out with a number of groups as he continues to arrange for the draft.
Shannon traveled to Chicago in Might for the NBA draft mix, the place he expressed his eagerness to clear his identify in court docket. “Trying ahead to (my) day in court docket,” Shannon advised reporters on the time.
The NBA draft is June 26. The Atlanta Hawks have the No. 1 decide.
