A federal judge has delayed ruling on Illinois basketball star Terrence Shannon Jr.'s request for a temporary restraining order and immediate reinstatement following his indefinite suspension following an arrest on a rape charge last month.
U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless heard from both sides Friday and said she will take the case “under advisement” and rule at a later date.
Shannon's attorneys said they had no comment when contacted by ESPN after the hearing.
Earlier this week, Shannon filed for a temporary restraining order against the university in an effort to be reinstated. The lawsuit, filed in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Champaign, alleges that the university rushed to judgment and failed to follow its protocols when it suspended him from all team activities. The filing also says that Illinois officials had told Shannon that he will not be considered for reinstatement until his legal case is resolved, which may not happen until the summer, and that will force him to miss the rest of the 2023 season. 24. would cause “irreparable harm” and affect her future earning potential in the NBA.
The alleged rape occurred in September at a bar in Lawrence, Kansas, when Shannon attended the Illini football game in Kansas. The affidavit says a woman reported that a man, later identified as Shannon, touched her inappropriately and sexually assaulted her.
According to the initial complaint, Shannon was charged with “unlawfully, criminally and knowingly having sexual intercourse with a person… who did not consent to sexual intercourse under circumstances where she was overcome by force or fear, a severity level 1″. person serious crime.”
Shannon's first court hearing is scheduled for next week in Lawrence, but his lawyers said the trial may not take place until after the conclusion of the college basketball season. They said Shannon will plead not guilty at next week's hearing.
The university has noted that Shannon's trip to Lawrence was personal and in no way related to the school, an important point because Shannon and her attorneys have argued that Title IX enforcement policies should apply, as they would if The incident would have occurred on the Illinois Campus, which the school disputes.
The school, in its response to Shannon's lawsuit, also said it has “jurisdiction” over student conduct, a principle that would be compromised if Shannon is granted a temporary restraining order and allowed to play before conclude your legal case.
“The harm to the University arises from the fact that granting the relief requested by plaintiff greatly undermines the University's ability to take prompt corrective action upon credible information indicating that a student-athlete engaged in serious misconduct,” said the school. “If the complainant can undo his suspension at this stage, the implication is that the University is effectively prevented from taking immediate action in these situations, regardless of the reasons underlying the University's actions. If the complainant can undo his suspension at this “At this stage, the University's athletic policy will be undermined and will not serve as a deterrent to involvement with the criminal justice system.”
