An Illinois judge has been removed from the bench for his controversial decision to reverse a teen’s sexual assault conviction.
The seven-member Illinois Court Commission expelled Robert Adrian on Friday, citing his actions as a “miscarriage of justice” and a “serious damage” to the integrity of the judiciary. Adrian’s removal follows his January 2022 sentencing hearing for Drew Clinton, then 18, who was found guilty of sexually assaulting Cameron Vaughan, then 16, while she was unconscious at a 2021 graduation party.
Adrian, who had been a judge for several years, initially found Clinton guilty of sexual assault but had a change of heart during the sentencing. He testified that he believed Clinton had already served enough time in county jail while his case was pending and that sending him to prison would not solve the problem.
This reasoning went against the law, which states a mandatory minimum sentence of four years for such a conviction. In an attempt to avoid sending Clinton to prison, Adrian reversed his verdict and declared the teen not guilty, sparking nationwide outrage.
The commission’s report stated that Adrian’s actions were an intentional circumvention of the law and showed his disregard for the justice system. They found him guilty of using his position as a judge to satisfy his own sense of justice, instead of faithfully applying the law.
The commission also criticized him for lying under oath during the investigation and for retaliating against a prosecutor who had criticized him on social media. Adrian’s removal from the bench is only the fourth time the commission has taken such action since 2003, showing the gravity of his misconduct.
The decision to remove Adrian has been met with relief and joy from Vaughan and her family, as well as advocates against sexual violence. Vaughan, who had the courage to publicly share her story after feeling failed by the justice system, expressed her happiness that Adrian “can’t hurt anybody else” and “can’t ruin anyone else’s life.”
However, Clinton cannot be retried for the same crime under the Fifth Amendment, leaving some disappointed that he will not face consequences for his actions. In February 2023, a request to expunge his record was denied.
Adrian defended his actions when reached for comment, stating that the decision to remove him from the bench was a “miscarriage of justice.” He maintains that he did what was right and has always told the truth about the situation.
Despite his claims, the commission found his actions to be a blatant abuse of power and a betrayal of his duties as a judge. Clinton, on the other hand, has remained silent on the matter and it is unclear how he feels about Adrian’s removal.
