Report: Jameis Winston denies sexual assault allegations in statement
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston did not testify at his two-day student conduct code hearing, but he did read a five-page statement denying the sexual assault allegations against him, ESPN reported Wednesday
Winston had the right to not answer any questions at the hearing. His teammates, Chris Casher and Ronald Darby, refused to testify on Tuesday, according to ESPN.
ESPN reports that Winston made a closing statement in the hearing, which is being heard by retired Florida State Supreme Court Chief Justice Major Harding.
"I did not rape or sexually assault [the accuser]," Winston said, according to the statement. "I did not create a hostile, intimidating or offensive environment in the short period of time that we were together. [The accuser] had the capacity to consent to having sex with me and she repeatedly did so by her conduct and her verbal expressions. I never used physical violence, threats, or other coercive means towards [the accuser]. Finally, I never endangered [the accuser's] health, safety, or well-being."
The statement marks the first time Winston has publicly given his side of the story pertaining to allegations that he sexually assaulted a Florida State student in 2012. The purpose of the hearing, which ended Wednesday, is to determine if Winston violated up to four school student conduct codes.
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"We will do our best to shut it down with our briefs, and have Justice Harding conclude that Jameis didn't do anything wrong," said Winston's attorney, David Cornwell. "There certainly was no evidence in two days that suggested otherwise."
The accuser's attorney, John Clune, said he expects Winston to be found responsible for sexually assaulting his client.
"We want him to be found responsible and want him to be expelled from school," Clune said. "I think knowing the facts of the case and what has been presented, I think there is a very, very good chance of that happening."
Winston was investigated by the State Attorney's office for the alleged sexual assault, but officials decided not to pursue charges in December 2013, stating they felt evidence was insufficient.
According to ESPN, the FSU police officer who initially responded to the accuser's 911 call and Jason Newlin, an investigator with the state attorney's office, were among the witnesses who testified. Other witnesses testified via telephone.
Clune said he expects Harding to make a decision within two to three weeks. Harding has up to 10 class or exam days to submit his decision, meaning a decision does not need to be made until January.
- Molly Geary, Scooby Axon and Mike Fiammetta
