Jameis Winston Disciplinary Hearing May Be Delayed Several Weeks Due to Attorney's Concerns

Jameis Winston's attorney may have bought enough time for his client to finish the college football season, but perhaps not enough to avoid a student conduct hearing all together.

The Orlando Sentinel reported obtaining a letter from David Cornwell to Florida State University (FSU) expressing concerns over the disciplinary hearing administrators have planned for Winston. The Atlanta-based attorney called the school's timeframe for the hearing "unacceptable."

FSU's overall handling of the sexual assault investigation against Winston has been question from all sides for some time. However, this is likely the first time Winston's camp is the side raising concern.

"On its face, this decision seems motivated to protect FSU's interests and respond to media pressure, not to protect Mr. Winston's interests," Cornwell wrote. "If there is a better explanation, Mr. Winston is entitled to hear it."

First reported by ESPN, FSU informed Winston of the disciplinary hearing last week, detailing four potential conduct code violations. In Winston's unique case, he will go into the hearing to determine what, if anything, he should be charged with and how he should be punished.

Winston was first accused in Jan. 2013 of sexually assaulting a then-student at FSU a month prior, but the case never became public until Nov. 2013. Details later emerged that suggested both FSU and local police performed an investigation far from thorough. As a result, a state attorney in Tallahassee declined to file criminal charges against Winston.

Now, nearly two years after the alleged incident, Winston is facing a school disciplinary hearing. FSU is also under federal investigation for violating the federal gender equity law Title IX in mishandling a case of sexual assault.

Cornwell told ESPN he may need about a month or more to go over evidence, the police report and the state attorney's investigation. He said he also may challenge FSU policy and seek interviews with witnesses and even the accuser.

John Clune, an attorney representing Winston's accuser, told ESPN Cornwell is just using a tactic to keep his client on the football field. Cornwell still may not be able to do that, as FSU is currently investigating why hundreds of items signed by Winston appeared with an autograph authentication company.

"It sounds like the plan for Mr. Winston is to stall this out as long as possible to get through this football season," Clune said. "The school needs to be bigger than the football program for the moment and just get this hearing done. It's not rocket science. They do these all the time for students that haven't won the Heisman Trophy."