Isn't this a process designed specifically to determine if student athletes can play while other disciplinary proceedings are ongoing? I don't believe non-athletes can be subject to this process since they cannot be suspended from a team.
TSJ Thread
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This isn't "interesting" or out of the ordinary at all. No one goes through a rape exam just for fun.
Any ruling on the restraining order would likely be appealed though. So even if the judge were to rule in his favor this week, how long would it take for the appeal to be heard? Does anyone really want a situation where TSJ comes back and plays, only to have the suspension reinstated by an appeals court? That would be even more of a mess than what we have already.
If he does suit up Thursday I sure hope Illini nation gives him the round of applause and support he deserves and NEEDS for his mental health I can only imagine the dark place he has been in these last few weeks
Is there a copy of the request for restraining order somewhere? I've only seen the one page excerpted on twitter, haven't been able to find the full document anywhere. My google skills are failing me...
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
I didn't read this thread at all today until just now.
Most interesting book I've read in awhile.
Most interesting book I've read in awhile.
Crazy how many people come up with some of these things. Pretty obvious the school and TSJ are working together… @illini0440 basically said it himself
I mean... What if he did it though? I truly hope he is innocent and that the facts will continue to show that and allow TSJ to clear his name completely. What we know right now certainly points to a flimsy case at best, but none of the accusations are out the realm of possibility. IF he does get reinstated, he doesn't have to be treated like a returning hero. It is ok to show some restraint.
If "the school" wanted, it could have changed the policy already and just let him play. Additionally, the university is not a monolith. There may well be a lot of individuals who support TJ and want to see him reinstated. But there are likely also others who do not want the court to blow up the policy they have constructed for handling these situations.
If they are not i think TSJ should say "screw you I'm going home" and go play for Ignite or another G league team.
It’s wild to me that they can press felony charges without any witnesses, physical evidence, with nothing but an allegation.
For the lawyers out there how likely is the TRO to be granted?
Maybe, but trying to wrap my head around this. For that to be true Josh Whitman is coordinating with one of his student athletes to get a TRO against his boss (Killeen and board) for a policy that he himself (Whitman) implemented. That is some serious 4D chess. Maybe a sign Whitman disagreed with the panel?
The best defense is a good offense when it comes to the court of public opinion. Go strong, go bold and go loud. Never be apologetic for your position.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Not a lawyer, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that wasn’t uncommon for a rape charge since many instances likely happen behind closed doors. This seems like a very different situation however.
I don't think we've seen the entirety of the prosecution's case. So I'm not sure we can say that with certainty. But if this is the case a conviction would be a gross injustice.
By the way, his finger could certainly leave DNA, so if the rape kit swabs and tests for that and it comes up negative that would be pretty interesting. I'd love to hear experts on that.
You cannot challenge the process. You cannot challenge the authority. You say the university has the authority and a proper process and followed it. Same facts but they took it to a grand jury and no indictment. Are we having this conversation. Is there even a committee. The committee is there to review the discipline Josh imposed. Does he suspend him when an empaneled grand jury found no probable cause. Better than 50/50 ,if you make it a wrong result was reached by a valid committee because of the DA of Douglas County and her merry bunch of men duping everyone. And don't be shy on the evidence. There is plenty of ammunition out there. The university cares about upholding their authority and the validity of the process. Think they got to bat for Douglas County after everything that has come out?
Do you think conduct policies should not be enforced? What if a teacher is accused of touching a kindergarten student? Should they continue to teach? What if a banker is accused of embezzling? Should they continue to do their job of handling money?
The whole point of things like this is that the university is allowed to protect its own integrity, and making every student sign an agreement that they will conform to certain conduct is one way of doing so.
Make no mistake, if a judge rules for TJ in this matter, it will be very narrow and will have nothing to do with due process. Because that would neuter the most severe parts of any and all conduct policies.
If the university extends a lifeline here based on this filing, they are putting themselves at significant risk. I'm not sure how they respond to it, frankly. It would need to be a very carefully crafted statement that both defends their policy while also citing the clauses in the policy that allow them cover to extend an exception based on the idea that the arrest and charge may be on false grounds. Perhaps they can even throw in a warning that TJ needs to continue to comply with court dates, and keep his nose clean otherwise.
What would be better than an insider saying, "all the sexual acts were consensual when they happened, TJ in no way forced his hand down a females pants"? An insider saying "No sexual acts happened because TJ kept his hands to himself."
chrisRunner7
- Spokane, WA
Didn't this DA endorse a belief that you shouldn't file charges unless you think you can prove them beyond a reasonable doubt? Unless there are more witnesses out there, or some kind of DNA evidence still forthcoming, she seems to have broken that rule.
I also wonder whether that 3-person panel had access to the police affidavit and any witness statement(s) that TJ wanted to provide before making its decision.
I also wonder whether that 3-person panel had access to the police affidavit and any witness statement(s) that TJ wanted to provide before making its decision.
Yep, an allegation is all that's needed for rape cases. Evidence is not needed.
Guilty until proven innocent. He said, she said. Be careful out there, it could happen to you if you hookup with the wrong girl. Your life is in the hands of the jury. It's not right, but it's reality.
sure nobody wants that, but speaking for me, I'd gladly take a couple more weeks of watching TSJ play for us if that's all we can get.
OTOH, if it goes TSJ's way and the insiders are right, UI likely won't appeal
Right, in my opinion, DA Jennifer Tatum overcharged Shannon with rape (which carries a 12- to 54-year prison term in the state of Kansas). But, on the other hand, she listed the alterative charge of sexual battery, which carries no prison term and a $2,500 fine. So, in my opinion, that sexual battery charge may lead to a conviction in court, if it goes that far, or a plea deal, if it doesn't, which is what I would guess.
Based just on this probable cause affidavit, in my opinion, this is a suspension-worthy allegation of what AD Josh Witman calls the DIA's zero-tolerance policy on sexual misconduct, especially what the 2023-2024 handbook identifies as type 4 (of 7) among the so-called major offenses and generally categories as "sexual misconduct". Yeah, too bad it seems the DIA didn't educate enough on this policy to steer all U of I athletes clear of any allegations of this type of conduct, which the policy clearly states could lead to suspension and, as we know, criminal charges in the state of Kansas. It appears some athletes might need more time on basic conduct rules, so they don't jeopardize their careers and the university's reputation. Personally, I'm behind AD Whitman's zero tolerance of sexual misconduct 100%. I'm glad the panel upheld the suspension. I'm disappointed that Shannon and Sutter think they can fight it. And I hope and expect that they can't win in the end, since, in my opinion, this means we and University lose. But we will see. As I say, these are just my personal opinions.
Lot of girls I know, that if this happened, would have tossed the drink in his face and smashed the glass in his forehead.... would have been alot of witness to that in the bar.
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