Terrence Shannon Jr. files a motion for a 'restraining order' against the University of Illinois Board of Trustees
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WICD/WICS) — Illinois star guard Terrence Shannon Jr. filed a motion for a restraining order against the University of Illinois on Monday on behalf of his indefinite suspension.
On December 28th, Shannon Jr was suspended by the University of Illinois, as he awaits the decision on his case. Shannon Jr was arrested on the 28th in Douglas County, Kansas on the count of rape. In a press conference with Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman, he told the media that a decision on Shannon Jr's case would be made within 48 hours of the suspension. Illinois has left fans and supporters in silence following the 48 hours.
Apart from the court documents, on January 3rd, the panel decided to uphold Shannon Jr's suspension until legal charges are "resolved." "Therefore the suspension is indefinite and will likely last the entire season without court intervention," stated Shannon Jr's legal team.
In his lawsuit, his legal team stated that Shannon Jr. has not been given fair due process by the University of Illinois and is requesting his suspension to be lifted immediately.
"Thus, through this lawsuit, TJ seeks injunctive relief to enjoin the Defendants from continuing TJ’s suspension unless and until he receives a fair process under Title IX, or as otherwise promised by Illinois to TJ or as required by law, and further requiring Illinois to immediately reinstate TJ to the Team. Alternatively, TJ seeks declaratory relief."
"TJ was provided no due process prior to the Suspension. There was no presumption of innocence. There was no hearing that he attended. There was no written notice as to who exactly assessed his fate and how (other than knowing that they were Illinois employees, not neutrals). No record of any proceedings was provided to him. The utter lack of safeguards provided to TJ is detailed more below, especially when compared to Title IX and an entirely separate Illinois action initiated against TJ on January 5, 2024."
A portion of the letter from the University of Illinois was sent to Terrence Shannon Jr. regarding what transpired on the night of the accused rape:
Dear Terrence: The Office for Student Conflict Resolution has received a report in which it is alleged that on September 09, 2023, you were involved in an incident that may violate the Student Code at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is alleged that on September 9, 2023, at the Jayhawk Cafe in Lawrence, KS, you grabbed the buttocks of another person and then inserted your finger into her vagina, without her consent. (To protect privacy, the name is being provided contemporaneously to your attorney in writing). Such conduct, if proven, would fall within the jurisdiction of the student discipline system and could constitute a violation of our community standards."
Terrence Shannon Jr's attorney provided ABC NewsChannel 20 and Fox Illinois with a point-by-point description of what transpired on the night of the accused rape and what transpired in the coming days.
A. “as they [complainant and friend] were trying to leave [the “Martini Room” level of the Jayhawk Café bar], there was a black male near the door she thought was attractive who started to waive (sic) her over.” The complainant’s friend then “encouraged her to go back into the Martini room and talk to him.” The complainant “confirmed she felt like the touching of her buttocks over her skirt was ok with her but it was not ok with her with [the accused] placing his finger inside her vagina.” The complainant “stated she did not speak with the male at all or have any interactions with him." The complainant “stated the male did not physically restrain her.” [Exhibit B-3.]
B. The alleged incident occurred in a very crowded bar, yet there are no witnesses to the alleged incident, which allegedly occurred while the accused had another female in one of his arms at the same time as the alleged incident. [Exhibits B-1, B-4, B-5.] The complainant’s friend who accompanied her in the bar during the alleged incident did not witness the alleged incident. [Exhibit B-4.]
C. The complainant had been consuming unknown amounts of alcohol that evening and was out for at least several hours before the alleged incident. [Exhibits B-2, B-3, B-4.]
D. Surveillance video does not corroborate the alleged incident, nor does it show TJ and the complainant together in the bar. [Exhibit B-1.]
E. The alleged incident occurred during the early hours of September 9. After the alleged incident, the complainant and her friend did not immediately leave the bar. Nor did the complainant or her friend notify bar management or security or police at that time. [Exhibit B-3, Exhibit B-4.]
F. Instead, the complainant went home, performed several internet searches including on the “Kansas state basketball roster,” and the University of Kansas basketball and football teams, and then the University of Illinois football and basketball teams. The complainant also performed internet searches related to “sexual assault, state and federal crime definitions.” The complainant also performed social media searches. [Exhibit B-2, Exhibit B-3, Exhibit B-4.]
G. About 15 hours after the alleged incident, and after the complainant identified TJ only by identifying an African-American that looked like him through her abovementioned internet and social media searches, the complainant reported it to the LPD
Shannon Jr is expected to appear in court on January 18th, where he will plead not guilty. Approximately 90 days or so afterward, there will be a preliminary hearing by which Shannon Jr's counsel will receive discovery from the prosecution and his counsel will have the opportunity to confront the compliant.