Rape case dismissed against former Kansas basketball player Arterio Morris

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The case that saw Arterio Morris charged with rape has been dismissed, according to online court records for Douglas County, Kansas, and Morris' defense attorney.

Morris, a former Kanas basketball player, was arrested this past September and removed from the KU program after the one count of rape was brought. Earlier this year, there was a move made to resolve the case before there was an evidentiary hearing. And now Morris won’t face that charge at all. A KU spokesperson declined comment.

Morris was scheduled to have his next hearing Wednesday. He was, according to a complaint document, facing a "severity level 1 person felony" that carried a range of penalty of "a minimum of 147 months to a maximum of 653 months in prison and/or a fine of up to $300,000 and 36 months of post-release supervision, pursuant to K.S.A. 21-6804, 21-6807, 21-6611(a)(2), & 22-3717(d)(1)(A), and amendments thereto."

But that is no longer the case.

"For about two years we have stayed silent waiting for justice to run its course, but also trusting that the truth would come to light; which is that I am not guilty of the horrible allegations made against me," Morris said in a social media post on Instagram. "It has been a path of trials, sorrow, and despair; but also one in which I was able to grow and become wiser to discern who I invite into my life. Today, I close a horrible chapter in my life and now I look into my future with hope and with more desire to be who I was destined to be. I am moving forward with God and my family by side."

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Hatem Chahine, Morris' defense attorney, said he anticipated this outcome. Chahine noted he was involved with the Title IX investigation and KU hearing concerning Morris, which was also dismissed. Because the criminal matter has a higher standard than the Title IX case, it seemed possible this would be the outcome.

The request for dismissal in the criminal case came from the district attorney's office, according to Chahine. That happened due to insufficient evidence, which Chahine agreed with. Chahine added he wishes Morris the best, hopes Morris can play in the future in college and left the door open to Morris potentially pursuing a civil recourse.

"When you get charged with something you believe you’re innocent for," Chahine said, "make sure you get a good attorney."

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on X at @JordanGuskey.