Report: Decision On Possible Charges Against Winston Coming Thursday
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) - The fate of Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston is in the hands of State Attorney Willie Meggs who will announce Thursday at 2 p.m. whether he will face criminal charges, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.
Winston stands accused of sexual assault last December in a Tallahassee apartment. Tallahassee Police and the SAO have been investigating since the initial report of the assault, but the investigation is completed.
The case wasn't turned over to prosecutors until November, shortly after it made national headlines. The Tallahassee Police Department has defended its handling of the case even though the family of the victim has said that police detectives warned them about pressing charges.
Winston has led the Seminoles to the No. 1 ranking and they will play for a conference title Saturday, with a shot at the national crown. The quarterback is also the leading candidate for the Heisman and many voters are waiting to see if Winston will be charged with a crime before casting their ballots. The deadline for Heisman ballots to be turned in is Dec. 9.
Timothy Jansen, Winston's attorney, said Monday he is communicating daily with his client, who "wants it to be over." Jansen last week publicly complained about the pace of the investigation.
"Obviously he's focusing on football and academics and he knows it's a process and we're waiting for Mr. Meggs to conclude his investigation," Jansen said.
Meggs initially estimated it would only take a few weeks for prosecutors to determine whether to charge Winston.
ESPN reported last month that DNA that matched Winston was found in the underwear of the accuser. While Jansen has suggested that the sex was consensual, the family of the accuser issued a statement alleging that Winston raped the woman.
