Illinois basketball star Terrence Shannon Jr. has been found not guilty in his rape trial … with the NBA prospect being acquitted of all charges on Thursday.
The decision was announced minutes ago … with the jury coming to its conclusion after just over an hour of deliberation.
Shannon Jr. was accused of sexual misconduct following a trip to Lawrence, Kansas in September … and was suspended from the Illinois basketball team after being charged with rape and sexual battery.
The punishment was later overturned in court … allowing him to return to the team after missing six games.
The potential draft pick maintained his innocence from the very beginning … turning himself in shortly after the charges were filed and cooperating with authorities throughout the investigation.
Shannon Jr. was emotional as the verdict was read … hugging his legal team and loved ones in court.
Emotions in Kansas court as the verdict is read NOT GUILTY for former #Illini Terrence Shannon Jr.
The immediate reaction from his legal team, family and friends in Lawrence pic.twitter.com/bL1bhAGYQ0
— Bret Beherns (@WCIA3Bret) June 13, 2024
@WCIA3Bret
The Douglas County District Attorney’s office released a statement on the news … saying, “It takes tremendous courage for a survivor of sexual assault to come forward. We will continue to pursue justice on behalf of survivors.”
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With the trial behind him, Shannon Jr. — who averaged 23 points in his senior season — can now put his focus on the draft in two weeks.