Winston's Fate Is In State Attorney's Hands
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – State attorney William Meggs has interviewed the woman who has accused Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston of sexual assault, according to ESPN.com.
The interview happened Thursday and Meggs, the state attorney for the 2nd Judicial Circuit, will make a decision on the case in the coming days after discussions with his staff. Meggs told ESPN that he does not anticipate taking the case before a grand jury.
The woman at the center of the case alleges that Winston sexually assaulted her at an off-campus apartment on December 7, 2012. The woman reported the alleged assault to Tallahassee Police, but the case was cold until a few weeks ago when the media found out about the allegation.
Winston is a redshirt freshman quarterback originally from Bessemer, Alabama. He's a leading Heisman Trophy candidate and has the Seminoles on the path towards playing for the national championship in January.
But, if he's charged with sexual assault; it will derail his career and could jeopardize FSU's title hopes.
Under FSU student-athlete policy, any player charged with a felony is automatically suspended from participating in any athletics until the charges are resolved and any court/university/coaching conditions have been fulfilled.
Winston's attorney, Tim Jansen, has reiterated his client is innocent of any charges and said Winston did have sex with the woman, but it was consensual. Jansen claims to have two witnesses who can confirm the sex was consensual.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement analyzed the woman's underwear and found a match to Winston. However, investigators are quick to point out that by itself is not evidence of a sexual assault.
