Convicted Illinois rapist free from jail

URBANA -- A judge has ruled that a 39-year-old man convicted of sexual assault and later deemed "sexually violent" does not have to return to prison.

Vincent Lipscomb of Champaign was convicted in 1990 of raping a University of Illinois student. He was sentenced to 24 years in prison.

He was due to be paroled in 2004, but Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan moved to have him declared "sexually violent." That means the state considered him mentally ill and likely to attack again.

He was to be locked away until deemed cured.

On Thursday, a Champaign County judge dismissed the case saying psychological experts determined Lipscomb isn't at risk to reoffend.

After the court hearing, Lipscomb said he was pleased with the decision and declined to comment further.