Jameis Winston was believed to have not answered any questions during his disciplinary hearing, but a newly leaked document shows that not to be true.
ESPN reported on Monday obtaining the transcript of the hearing, which shows that Winston answered a question from former State Supreme Court Justice Major Harding. The Florida State University (FSU) disciplinary board did not charge Winston with any of the four possible student conduct code violations he was facing.
Winston read a lengthy prepared statement during the hearing in which he denied sexually assaulting a female former FSU student, claiming the sexual encounter was consensual. The statement the first time he gave his account of what happened that night in Dec. 2012.
He never submitted to questioning until his disciplinary hearing. Harding reportedly asked if Winston was going to "answer any additional questions." The Seminoles quarterback said he would not.
Attorneys for Winston's accuser then said they would like to ask the football player their own questions. Through his attorney, David Cornwell, Winston declined.
"All right," Harding said. "I think it would be helpful, and I understand you have exercised your right, and you may continue to do so; but, from the purpose of helping the decision maker to understand, the Complainant has indicated that she continually resisted by saying no to your sexual overtures, and you have indicated that she gave consent. And I would like to know in what manner, verbally or physically, that she gave consent. And I ask that with the understanding that you have previously given."
Citing people in the room at the time, ESPN reported that Winston hesitated and consulted Cornwell, who told his client he could answer the question.
From ESPN's report on the hearing transcript:
"Both, Your Honor, verbally and physically," Winston said.
"And what did she say and what did she do?" Harding asked.
"Moaning is mostly physically," Winston said. "Well, moaning is physically. And verbally at that time, Your Honor."
"Well, that was during the sexual encounter?" Harding asked.
"Yes, Your Honor," Winston said.
At that point, witness testimony ended, according to the transcript.
Blaine Kerr and John Clune, attorneys who represent Winston's accuser, expressed frustration over the result of the hearing. Like when State Attorney Willie Meggs did not press charges against Winston, Harding said there was insufficient evidence against Winston and the testimony could not stand on its own.
"I don't want to impugn the proceeding as corrupt, but I think it was biased and the fix was in," Kerr told the Associated Press. "It's all about a football game 10 days from today. It turned out to be just a predetermined whitewash to keep a guy playing football."
