Ex-college basketball star Terrence Shannon Jr. to stand trial for rape – after returning from suspension to play for Illinois at March Madness
- A woman accused Terrence Shannon Jr. of rape following an incident in September
- A judge has now ruled that he will stand trial next month for first-degree rape
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Former basketball star Terrence Shannon Jr. of Illinois will go on trial next month on charges of first-degree rape and sexual abuse, a Kansas judge ruled Friday.
The decision came during Shannon’s preliminary hearing in Douglas County, Kansas. Judge Sally Pokorny ruled there was probable cause to take the case to trial, which will begin on June 10.
“Our legal team is not shocked or disappointed by the outcome of this event,” Mark Sutter, one of Shannon’s attorneys, said in a statement.
“A preliminary hearing is a procedural process that addresses only the threshold of the evidence and whether there may be a question of fact before 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.”
Terrence Shannon Jr. will appear in court Friday for his pre-trial hearing in Lawrence, Kansas
Shannon Jr. was initially suspended by Illinois, but returned to play for them at March Madness
A woman accused Shannon of sexually penetrating her with his fingers on September 9 at a bar in Lawrence, Kansas.
The woman identified Shannon through photos she saw online and informed police that he was her attacker. Shannon was arrested and charged in the case.
After an order was issued in late December, Illinois suspended Shannon indefinitely. He missed six games before getting a restraining order from a federal judge that allowed him to rejoin the Illini.
Shannon Jr. was charged with rape after an incident with a woman at a bar in September
Some expect him to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft at the end of June
Shannon stood out for Illinois with a 23.0 scoring average in 32 games (31 starts) this season. He led the team in scoring and 3-point baskets (77).
Shannon led Illinois to the Elite Eight of March Madness before losing to eventual national champion UConn.
The university stopped its investigation into Shannon in April.
Shannon hopes to be selected in the NBA Draft, scheduled for June 26-27. He has been projected as a lottery pick by some draft entities.