Subscribe
Follow Us
Illinois basketball star Terrence Shannon Jr. was suspended for part of this season after being charged with rape back in December. He had to miss some time, but he was able to play for the Fighting Illini for most of the conference schedule and in the postseason. Now, the case will be going to trial and the date for that trial is June 10th.
“BREAKING: Terrence Shannon Jr. has been bound over for jury trial as the court finds probable cause (a very low standard) does exist to move case to jury trial,” Mitch Gilfillan said in a tweet. “The arraignment happened (waived) and a Not Guilty plea has been entered. Working on trial dates now.”
It's not too surprising to see that this case is going to trail, and Terrence Shannon Jr. and his lawyers weren't caught off guard by the news. This decision doesn't mean that Shannon Jr. is guilty, and one his lawyers released a statement on the decision.
“Our legal team is neither shocked nor disappointed by the outcome of this event,” Mark Sutter said. “A preliminary hearing is a procedural process that merely speaks to the threshold of evidence and whether a question of fact may exist for a jury. It has nothing to do with guilt or innocence. Those issues will be decided at trial, and we continue to look forward to our day in court.”
One charge was recently upgraded
One of the charges that Terrence Shannon Jr. was recently upgraded as well. The felony rape charge remains but the same, but his sexual battery charge was recently upgraded to aggravated sexual battery.
The University of Illinois originally suspended Shannon back in December and he had to miss six games. Shannon Jr. ended up suing the school and took them to court, and he was granted an injunction which allowed him to return the basketball court. The university ended up dropping their investigation back in April and they did not take any disciplinary action.
Now, Terrence Shannon Jr. will wait and see what happens when he goes to trial, and it will be taking a place one month from Friday.
