Illinois basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr. may be the one facing a charge of rape in connection with an incident at a Lawrence bar in September, but defense attorneys on Tuesday put the Lawrence Police Department on trial.
The woman alleging that she was raped took the stand Tuesday morning to explain the events of the evening and her response to what happened.
The incident that led to the charges took place just after midnight Sept. 9 at the Jayhawk Cafe (The Hawk), 1340 Ohio St. The woman, who was 18 at the time, had gone with a friend to the bar’s Martini Room, where said she was groped and then digitally penetrated by a man she did not know. She later told police that she had identified the man as a basketball player after searching through team rosters online.
“I was terrified,” the woman said. “I was scared and I was shocked. I didn’t know how to react. I didn’t react. All I did was stand there in shock.”
Shannon, 23, was charged in December with rape for engaging in intercourse with a person who did not consent or who was overcome by force or fear, or, in the alternative, one count of aggravated sexual battery for touching a person over the age of 16 who did not consent under circumstances when the victim was overcome by force or fear.
In her opening statement, Douglas County Assistant District Attorney Samantha Foster described the scene at The Hawk as “packed,” and then detailed how the woman, who is white, was attempting the leave the crowded bar when she was waved over by a tall, Black man wearing a mustard-colored shirt.
Surveillance video from inside the bar shown by prosecutors later in the day illustrated the chaotic scene and showed both Shannon and his accuser within feet of each other prior to the alleged incident. However, there was no video presented showing the two standing side by side as the woman described in police interviews and in court.
Foster said the woman believed she was walking over to talk, exchange phone numbers, or share Snapchat information, but instead found herself being pulled close by her assailant’s right arm and then touched without consent.
“There are no phone numbers exchanged,” Foster said. “There are no words exchanged at all. She was absolutely shocked. She didn’t know this man.”
The woman took the stand immediately after opening statements Tuesday morning and told the jury that she and a roommate had gone to The Hawk looking for friends she believed would be there.
Although she had already been to the bar and one other earlier in the evening prior to returning to the Martini Room, the woman said she had only a few sips of alcohol and nothing else throughout the evening.
She testified that she doesn’t care for crowds and was beginning to get overstimulated in the hot, loud environment of the Martini Room. Foster asked the woman why, if she doesn’t drink or like crowds, would she go to a bar like The Hawk in the first place.
“It’s the thing to do,” the woman said, choking back tears. “It’s what every college person does. I thought it would be a good time.”
Much of defense attorney Tricia Bath’s cross examination focused on inconsistent statements the woman made to police and to health care professionals who participated in the investigation. Bath asked the woman to describe how she had been pulled through the crowd by the man she identified as Shannon.
In court Tuesday, the woman said the man at The Hawk had grabbed her wrist or arm to help her through the crowd. But Bath presented a transcript from the preliminary hearing to show that the woman had earlier said specifically that the man had not pulled on her wrists because she was carrying a drink in one hand and her phone in the other.
Bath also brought up differences in how the woman characterized the amount of alcohol she had consumed. During a police interview and in court, the woman said she had only a few sips of a drink. However, a report generated after the woman submitted to a sexual assault nurse examiner — or SANE — screening at Lawrence Memorial Hospital said the woman reported having three drinks over the course of the evening.
LMH SANE nurse Cori Green said she couldn’t recall whether a toxicology report was completed as part of the evidence-gathering examination, and she didn’t find records reflecting blood alcohol content in the SANE evidence kit submitted into evidence during the trial.
Swabs taken from the woman’s vaginal area, buttocks, and inner thigh areas showed negligible amounts of DNA from several people— amounts that could be picked up through casual contact or transfer, such as from sitting down somewhere — but none was substantial enough to create a profile.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Ricardo Leal briefly questioned Lawrence police Officer Bryan Martes Muñoz, who took the initial report on the afternoon of Sept. 9.
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Leitner’s familiarity with the Martini Room and the fact that he had been there numerous times in his career may have contributed to his decision not to take photos or measurements of the space. Additionally, his reliance on the woman’s word regarding her alcohol consumption the night before raises questions about the thoroughness of the investigation. Sutter’s questioning of Leitner highlights potential gaps in the evidence collection process and suggests a need for further scrutiny of the case. familiar Shannon trial, Morris case, City Commission, AI committee, Lawrence events, Summerfest drone show the lineup were the suspect, the witness, and the victim. The identified individual is the suspect in the robbery case. : the lineup were several key suspects in the robbery.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. “Illinois basketball player rape trial investigation”
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Illinois basketball player Terrence Shannon Jr. faces a charge of rape in connection with an incident at a Lawrence bar. The defense attorneys put the Lawrence Police Department on trial, emphasizing the woman’s testimony about the alleged assault. The incident occurred at a crowded bar, where the woman was touched without consent by a man she later identified as Shannon. The trial highlighted inconsistencies in the woman’s statements to police and healthcare professionals. Swabs taken from the woman showed negligible DNA amounts, and the trial continues with further testimonies and evidence presentations. Stay updated on the latest developments in this ongoing legal case. In an investigation involving Shannon, Martes interviewed the woman and her roommate together before proceeding with individual interviews, accepting the woman’s identification without further questioning. Defense attorney Sutter questioned Martes on why he didn’t press for more details on the identification process. Leitner, the lead detective, collected surveillance video from The Hawk, focusing on the area of the alleged incident. The video showed key figures in the crowd, including former KU basketball player Arterio Morris. Morris had faced similar allegations, but charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence. The case highlighted inconsistencies in the investigation process, including lack of corroborating evidence and reliance on witness testimony. In the courtroom, Sutter questioned Leitner’s investigation methodology, pointing out errors in his report and his limited efforts to gather additional witness information. Leitner admitted to not thoroughly questioning bartenders, security staff, or friends of the accuser, believing her identification of Shannon was sufficient. Sutter criticized Leitner for not pursuing potential leads and suggested a serial sex offender may be at large. Despite the scrutiny, Leitner stood by his decision. The trial is ongoing, with the state planning to call two more witnesses. Shannon, out on bond, faces serious charges. Stay updated with local journalism for more details on this case. Stay updated on the latest news in Lawrence with coverage on crime, courts, local government, education, arts events, and more. From trials and legal proceedings to city commission meetings and school district updates, Lawrence KSTimes provides in-depth reporting on the happenings in the community. Learn about important events, such as the formation of an AI committee in schools and immersive art experiences. Discover what’s happening in Lawrence, including unique events like a drone show for Summerfest. Explore the diverse news coverage and stay informed about the latest developments in Lawrence, Kansas. For more news, visit Lawrence KSTimes. Are you looking for a professional and reliable service to help with your SEO needs? Look no further! Our team of experts is dedicated to providing top-notch SEO solutions that will help your website rank higher in search engine results. With our proven strategies and techniques, we can help drive more traffic to your site and increase your online visibility. Whether you need keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, or content creation, we have the skills and experience to deliver results. Trust us to help you achieve your SEO goals and take your online presence to the next level. In this article, we explore the benefits of incorporating SEO strategies into your digital marketing efforts. By optimizing your website and content for search engines, you can increase your online visibility and drive more organic traffic to your site. This can lead to higher conversion rates, improved brand recognition, and ultimately, increased revenue for your business. We discuss the importance of keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building to help you improve your search engine rankings and stay ahead of the competition. With the right SEO tactics in place, you can attract more qualified leads and grow your online presence.
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Martes Muñoz testified that the woman had told him about the alleged assault and identified Shannon by name based on his appearance in an online team roster. The officer said he tried to get surveillance video from The Hawk but was told that the bar didn’t have any cameras in the Martini Room, and that he couldn’t find any video from cameras outside the bar that showed the woman leaving with Shannon.
Defense attorney Bath also questioned Martes Muñoz about the woman’s level of intoxication and whether she had been able to provide a coherent statement to police. The officer said the woman appeared coherent and able to answer questions.
Leal then called several other Lawrence police officers who responded to the scene to testify about their interactions with the woman and the evidence they collected. All testified that the woman appeared calm and was able to articulate what had happened.
One officer testified that he had seen Shannon inside The Hawk that night and that the woman had pointed him out as the man who assaulted her. However, the officer said he was not the one to arrest Shannon that night, as the suspect had left the bar by the time he arrived.
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The trial was set to continue Wednesday morning with more testimony from police officers, forensic experts, and possibly the defendant himself. Testimony is expected to last at least a week, with closing arguments and jury deliberations to follow.
Shannon, who is currently free on bond, faces up to 11 years in prison if convicted of rape, and up to 13 years if convicted of aggravated sexual battery. His attorney has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
**SEO Keywords:** Terrence Shannon Jr., rape trial, Lawrence Police Department, Douglas County District Court, sexual assault, defense attorneys, basketball player, Illinois, Jayhawk Cafe, The Hawk, surveillance video, SANE nurse, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, DNA evidence, forensic experts, jury deliberations. Martes, a key figure in the case against Terrence Shannon Jr., testified during the trial that he interviewed the woman who accused Shannon of sexual assault alongside her roommate in the lobby of the police station before conducting more formal, individual interviews. Martes further revealed that he did not question the woman’s identification of Shannon or present her with a photo lineup to confirm her identification.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Mark Sutter questioned Martes on why he did not press the woman further on how she identified Shannon and why he did not obtain the names of her roommates or the friend she was with that night. Martes admitted that he had to correct his oversight by calling and collecting the necessary information later on.
Following Martes’s testimony, Lawrence Police Detective Joshua Leitner took the stand and discussed his role as the lead detective on the case. Leitner described the evidence he collected from the scene of the incident, including surveillance video obtained from The Hawk, a local bar where the alleged assault took place. He noted that while the bar had numerous cameras, he only sought footage from the specific area where the incident occurred, as several cameras were reportedly non-operational at the time.
During the trial, approximately 30 minutes of video footage from The Hawk was played, showing the woman and her roommate navigating through the crowded Martini Room. Leitner identified several individuals in the video, including Hunter Dickinson, Kevin McCullar, and Elmarko Jackson. Additionally, a photograph from former KU basketball player Arterio Morris’s social media page was submitted into evidence, showing a tattooed left hand and watch that matched the hand seen around McCullar’s neck in the video.
Morris had faced similar allegations of sexual assault in the past, but those charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence. The parallels between Morris’s case and Shannon’s case raised concerns about the credibility of the accusations against Shannon.
The woman testified that she was approached by a tall man she did not know while at The Hawk, who then allegedly touched her inappropriately. Sutter questioned Leitner about the woman’s drinking that night, as she claimed to have had only a few sips of one drink despite being out with friends for several hours. Leitner admitted that he did not verify the woman’s drinking habits that night and did not collect evidence from other bars she had visited.
Sutter also challenged Leitner on the lack of photographic evidence and scale drawings of the Martini Room, to which Leitner responded that he relied on the woman’s account and his familiarity with the location. The defense’s scrutiny of the investigation raised doubts about the thoroughness and reliability of the evidence presented against Shannon.
As the trial continues, the scrutiny of the investigation and the credibility of the witnesses will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the case against Terrence Shannon Jr. In a recent court hearing, Detective Leitner faced tough questioning from prosecutor Sutter regarding his investigation into a sexual assault case. Sutter pointed out several discrepancies in Leitner’s report, including an incorrect date and a misspelling of a key witness’s name. Most notably, Sutter questioned Leitner’s limited efforts to follow up with potential witnesses who may have had crucial information about the incident.
Specifically, Sutter asked Leitner if he had spoken to bartenders or security staff at the bar where the incident occurred, friends or roommates of the accuser who were present at her apartment that night, or the individuals accused by the victim. Leitner admitted that he had not pursued these leads further, citing his belief in the victim’s certainty in identifying the suspect.
Sutter, however, pressed Leitner on his lack of initiative in pursuing additional witnesses and potential leads, suggesting that Leitner may have missed the opportunity to uncover important information that could have shed light on the case. “Did it occur to you that you might have a serial sex offender on the loose?” Sutter asked pointedly.
Despite Sutter’s probing questions, Leitner maintained that he was satisfied with the victim’s identification of the suspect and did not see the need to pursue further leads. The court hearing is set to continue with additional witnesses expected to testify. The defense has indicated that they may call up to eight individuals to testify in the case.
The suspect in question, Shannon, was arrested in December but is currently out on bail. It is important to note that all individuals accused in criminal cases are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
As the trial unfolds, it is crucial to remember the importance of thorough and unbiased investigations in criminal cases. The pursuit of all potential leads and witnesses is essential to ensuring that justice is served and that the truth is uncovered.
If you have any information related to this case or have experienced sexual violence or trauma yourself, please seek help from the appropriate resources. There are many options available, and you do not have to go through this alone. Remember, your safety and well-being are paramount, and there are organizations and professionals ready to support you in your time of need. A recent incident has shocked the residents of a quaint neighbourhood in London. The peaceful atmosphere of the area was disrupted when a mysterious event unfolded on a quiet street corner. The incident took place near a charming park, where families often gather on weekends for picnics and leisurely strolls.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing a commotion at the scene, with police cars and ambulances arriving swiftly to respond to the situation. The exact nature of the incident remains unclear, as authorities have not yet released a statement regarding the details of what transpired. Speculations and rumours have been circulating among residents, adding to the suspense and intrigue surrounding the event.
Local businesses in the area have been abuzz with chatter about the incident, with patrons sharing their own theories and interpretations of the events that unfolded. The sense of unease and curiosity has gripped the community, as they await official updates from the authorities.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a hot topic in the tech world for many years, but recent advancements have been pushing the boundaries of what is possible with this exciting technology. From self-driving cars to personalized recommendations on streaming services, AI is revolutionizing the way we live and work.
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