A 25-year-old man from Champaign named Eugene Joiner has been found guilty of sexual assault after a trial in Urbana. The jury deliberated for about an hour before convicting him on two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, mainly because the victim suffered physical injuries. However, the jury cleared him of charges related to using a firearm during the attack.
The case revolved around a March 17 incident where a woman accused Joiner of rape. For the first time, Joiner testified in court that he had indeed had sex with the woman that night but insisted it was consensual. He also denied using force or causing the injuries she suffered.
Joiner’s testimony revealed a surprising twist—he suggested their earlier encounter, which they both initially described as consensual, was not. He claimed that during their first meeting, about two weeks before the alleged assault, he had consumed alcohol and marijuana and stayed the night because he felt strange from the marijuana. The next morning, he asked the woman what had happened, and she told him they had unprotected sex.
On the night of the alleged assault, the two reportedly met again and walked around the neighborhood. Joiner admitted to meeting the woman online and having sex with her in the past but denied knowing her well. Throughout his testimony, he maintained that he never used a gun, and investigators later confirmed that no firearm was found in his possession.
In the courtroom, the defense and prosecution clashed over key pieces of evidence. Assistant State’s Attorney Chris McCallum presented DNA evidence that strongly linked Joiner to the crime, calling it “9 quadrillion times more likely” to belong to him than anyone else. He argued that this evidence was undeniable.
The defense attorney, Janie Miller-Jones, pushed back by pointing out inconsistencies in the victim’s statements. For instance, the victim claimed there would be blood at the scene due to her injuries, but police found none when they investigated. Miller-Jones suggested this inconsistency cast doubt on her story. She also criticized police tactics during Joiner’s interrogation, saying investigators were too aggressive and repeatedly accused him of lying, which may have influenced his statements.
Photos from the scene showed handprints on a window near where the victim said the assault occurred. While there was no physical evidence like blood, McCallum argued that rain or darkness might have obscured such details. The jury ultimately sided with the prosecution, relying heavily on the DNA evidence.
Now convicted, Eugene Joiner faces a sentence ranging from 12 to 60 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for February 18.