Jameis Winston's hearing concludes; ruling expected in 2-3 weeks
TALLAHASSEE — Nearly two years after a female Florida State student first reported she allegedly had been sexually assaulted by a man she later identified as Jameis Winston, FSU concluded its proceedings Wednesday into whether the quarterback violated the student conduct code in December 2012.
Over two days and approximately 12 hours, former Florida Supreme Court justice Major Harding heard testimony from witnesses presented by the university, Winston and the woman. Armed with that and voluminous records provided by FSU — many of which were created during a criminal investigation that resulted in no charges being filed — Harding now must decide if Winston is responsible of any of four violations of the code of conduct.
FSU has up to 10 class days from the conclusion of the hearing to give notification of the decision. Seven class days remain until the end of the fall semester on Dec. 12. Spring semester starts on Jan. 7.
John Clune, a Title IX attorney for the woman, said he expects a decision from Harding within 2-3 weeks.
According to FSU spokeswoman Browning Brooks speaking generally about the student code of conduct, if Harding renders a decision during the winter break, any appeal which Winston or the complainant could make would not be due until after classes resume in January.
"We want (Winston) to be found responsible and we want him expelled from the school," Clune said after the hearing Wednesday. "I think knowing the facts of the case and what has been presented, I think there's a very, very good chance of that happening."
Holding two thick binders, including one that said "Jameis Winston phone records" on the cover, Winston declined to answer questions from the news media on Wednesday. His advisor, sports attorney David Cornwell, described the proceeding as part of a civil litigation strategy.
"This process was about making a record to do as I have always said, take this matter to civil court. We will do our best to shut it down with our briefs and have Justice Harding conclude that Jameis didn't do anything wrong. There certainly was no evidence in two days that suggested otherwise," Cornwell said.
"I'm not quite sure that given the objectives of (the woman) and her attorneys that there's anyway to remove the taint in this process. It was clear what this was about, absolutely clear what this is about. It is a shakedown."
That sentiment was repeated by Winston in his opening statement, a copy of which was obtained by Paste BN Sports.
"(The woman's) and her lawyers' public campaign to vilify me guarantees that her false allegation will follow me for the rest of my life," the statement read.
Winston and the woman were able to call their own witnesses or provide written statements from witnesses.
Winston provided little testimony in a hearing that was expected to last longer, a person familiar with the case told Paste BN Sports on condition of anonymity because the proceedings are to remain confidential.
The person refuted a published report that Winston answered no questions but did confirm that he gave only minimal testimony.
In Winston's opening statement, he said the woman's "conduct and other verbal expressions left no doubt that our sex was consensual."
Clune said, "This was not testimony but just something written by his lawyer. Mr. Winston still has yet to answer questions about his conduct."
While several witnesses testified in person and via phone on Wednesday, not much new information was added to the record, Clune said.
Jason Newlin, an investigator with the state attorney's office, said he testified for 90 minutes. Newlin investigated the case starting in November 2013 until state attorney Willie Meggs decided in early December 2013 not to file criminal charges against Winston.
Newlin did not want to discuss specifics of the hearing "but said he spoke with "several individuals" in the conference room where the hearing was held.
Newlin said Meggs and assistant state attorney Georgia Cappleman were not asked to attend the hearing.
He was at least the second person who was part of the criminal investigation to testify on Wednesday. FSU police officer Dinorah Harris, who was the first officer to respond when the woman's friend called police, appeared earlier in the day.
The hearing concluded after five hours on Tuesday with three or four witnesses being called. Chris Casher and Ronald Darby, two teammates of Winston's, appeared at the hearing for about 30 minutes.
Both players filled out affidavits during the criminal investigation stating what they witnessed that night appeared to be consensual, and Meggs cited that as contributing to his decision not to file charges.
In May, the two faced a code of conduct hearing for their involvement. Darby was not found responsible for the two charges he faced. According to the Wall Street Journal, Casher was found responsible of two charges and received a year of probation.
"I think if Chris Casher and Ronald Darby were the sails behind this defense, that ship sank a long time ago," said Clune. "The number of inconsistent statements that they've made, even before this hearing, I think has really changed the impact of any help they might be to Mr. Winston."
Harding will make his decision of whether or not Winston is responsible based on a preponderance of evidence. If Winston is found responsible, he faces sanctions ranging from a reprimand to expulsion.
In 29 cases of sexual misconduct -- which range from sexual harassment to assault -- handled by FSU between 2011-13, 18 students were found responsible. Of those, only three were expelled while the majority of the cases (12) resulted in some form of probation.