Jameis Winston Cleared of All Potential Student Conduct Code Violations, Accuser's Attorneys 'Stunned'
ByJameis Winston will not face any student conduct code violations, as Florida State University (FSU) cleared him of the four charges against him.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, former Florida Supreme Court Justice Major Harding returned his decision to Winston and the accuser on Sunday. Winston's hearing was in relation to the Dec. 2012 sexual assault a female former FSU student accused the Seminoles quarterback of.
In his letter, a copy of which was obtained by the Times, Harding echoed what the State Attorney Willie Meggs said last year, that there was not sufficient evidence to charge Winston.
"I cannot find with any confidence that the events as set forth by (Winston and the woman) or a particular combination thereof is more probable than not as required to find you responsible for a violation of the Code," Harding wrote to Winston. "Therein lies the determinative factor of my decision."
Brought in as a third party to hear the case, Harding said neither Winston's nor the woman's cases were "substantially stronger" than the other.
"We are stunned and dismayed by the order," John Clune, an attorney representing the woman, said in a statement to the Orlando Sentinel. "It's not a 'decision' at all but a statement that the judge couldn't decide.
"We will consider an appeal but right now we feel a little duped," he said. "We will have further comment in due course."
Clune also expressed frustration that Winston and his two Seminoles teammates who were witnesses on the night in question, Chris Casher and Ronald Darby, did not testify or answer questions.
"Of the four people in that apartment only one, our client, testified, and she answered any and all questions about what happened," Clune said, according to USA Today. "The three football players, Jameis Winston, Chris Casher, and Ronald Darby, all refused to testify and answer questions and somehow Jameis Winston still wins. The Order doesn't even follow the Student Conduct Code, and it ignores the bulk of the evidence."
Per Tomahawk Nation, here is FSU's statement on the now concluded hearing:
"The university selected Justice Major Harding, a highly qualified and respected jurist, to remove any doubt about the integrity of this process and the result. He conducted a thorough Student Conduct Code hearing and reviewed more than 1,000 pages of evidence generated by three other investigations, and we would like to thank him sincerely for his service. Moving forward, we remain committed to the principle of due process, and our highest priority will continue to be the safety and well-being of all our students."