A western Illinois judge is under scrutiny and could potentially be removed from office after allegations arose that he circumvented the law by reversing a rape conviction. The decision has sparked outrage not only in Quincy, Illinois, where the victim resides, but also across the nation. The Illinois Courts Commission, responsible for ruling on complaints against judges and empowered to take actions such as removal, suspension, or reprimand, held a hearing in Chicago on Wednesday to consider the allegations against Adams County Judge Robert Adrian. It is alleged that he acted with willful misconduct in order to avoid sending the defendant to prison.
The case involves Drew Clinton of Taylor, Michigan, who was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl during a graduation party in May 2021. Judge Robert Adrian presided over a three-day bench trial, finding Clinton guilty of criminal sexual assault in October of the same year. The offense carries a minimum sentence of four years in prison in Illinois. However, during Clinton’s sentencing hearing three months later, Adrian reversed his decision, arguing that the 148 days the teenager had already spent in county jail were sufficient punishment.
Complaints against judges in Illinois must first go through the Judicial Inquiry Board, which determines if there is a reasonable basis to believe a judge engaged in willful misconduct, brought disrepute to the court, or failed to perform their duties. Although complaints against judges are not uncommon, only around two cases per year proceed from the board to the Illinois Courts Commission, according to Shelley Bethune, the executive director and general counsel for the commission.
The complaint against Judge Adrian alleges that he acknowledged his obligation to impose the mandatory four-year sentence but chose not to send Clinton to prison, stating, “That is not just.” Adrian and his lawyer, Daniel Konicek, argue that the reversal was based on the evidence in the case and not an attempt to defy the law. Konicek further suggested that maybe the legislature was mistaken in mandating a four-year sentence for sexual assault. He urged the commission not to make their decision based on public outcry or social media, emphasizing that his client has faced negative press and threats to his family.
Additionally, the complaint against Adrian alleges that he retaliated against a prosecutor involved in another case by ordering him to leave the courtroom because he had “liked” a critical Facebook post about Adrian. The post in question advocated for holding rapists accountable. The prosecutor, Joshua Jones, testified that he was angered by being removed from the court and considered the post an integral part of his job. Adrian later apologized to Jones for his actions.
Cameron Vaughan, the victim of the 2021 assault, expressed her shock and determination to remove Adrian from his position. She stated that he does not deserve to be a judge at all. Vaughan, now 18 years old, attended the recent proceedings along with her family, friends, and supporters. It is worth noting that The Associated Press typically does not disclose the names of individuals who claim to be victims of sexual assault unless they choose to come forward publicly.
Vaughan recounted that after Adrian overturned the conviction, he blamed her, her parents, and the parents at the party, stating that it was the consequence of allowing teenagers to consume alcohol and swim in pools with their undergarments on. This account is supported by a court transcript. Vaughan’s mother, Roxanne Lindley, criticized Adrian for shifting the blame away from Clinton and onto them.
Adams County court records reveal that the guilty verdict was overturned due to prosecutors failing to meet the burden of proof to establish Clinton’s guilt. However, Clinton cannot be retried for the same crime under the Fifth Amendment. A motion to expunge Clinton’s record was denied in February of this year. The court commissioners now face the task of evaluating all the evidence before deciding whether or not to discipline Judge Adrian, a process that may take several weeks or even months.
