Tuesday afternoon, rather than studying Ted Roof’s Georgia Tech defense, FSU quarterback Jameis Winston was again defending himself against a nearly two-year-old accusation of sexual assault.
Dressed in a suit and tie, Winston entered a university code of conduct hearing shortly before noon. It was January 2012 when a woman accused Winston of raping her at his off-campus apartment. After investigating the allegation, the state attorney decided not to pursue charges. Tuesday’s twice-delayed hearing, overseen by retired Florida Supreme Court Justice Major Harding, was called to determine whether Winston would face university discipline over the incident.
Harding has 10 days to hand down a decision. And Winston has the right to appeal an unfavorable finding, which could take months and stretch well beyond the college football playoffs. The Heisman-winning leader of the unbeaten Seminoles is eligible to enter the NFL draft after this season.
The hearing did have one immediate consequence: The Seminoles practice was moved back three hours Tuesday to accommodate Winston’s needs. A scheduled 6:30 p.m. start would be the latest of any all season for FSU.
Local attorney David Cornwell, Winston’s advisor, told the Orlando Sentinel that he “absolutely” believed the quarterback would be on the field for Saturday’s ACC Championship game against Tech.
“This is the day that Mr. Winston has been desperately trying to avoid for two years,” John Clune, the attorney for Winston’s accuser said Tuesday in a statement. “This courageous young woman finally gets the chance to stand up for herself and against Mr. Winston and big time college sports which has long run over the rights and protection of women on campus.
“Neither Jameis Winston nor his lawyer can stop what is coming.”
In the Sentinel, Cornwell responded: “This is a process that began when the Tallahassee Police Department and the state attorney decided not to charge Jameis with the crime.
“Jameis Winston did not rape or sexually assault [the accuser.]”
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