A western Illinois judge could face removal from office after a judicial oversight body considered allegations this week that he circumvented the law when he decided to reverse a rape conviction. The move sparked outrage in the victim’s hometown of Quincy, Illinois, and beyond.
Adrian presided over a three-day bench trial in which Drew Clinton of Taylor, Michigan, was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl during a graduation party in May 2021. In October of that year, Adrian found Clinton — who was 18 — guilty of criminal sexual assault. The offense carries a minimum sentence of four years in prison in Illinois.
Vaughan is now 18 years old. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they were sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly. 'It was just really shocking and upsetting for him to not only let go, but to then blame me, blame my parents, blame the parents at the party,' Vaughan said.
Court commissioners must now weigh all of the evidence in deciding whether Adrian will be disciplined, which may take several weeks or months.