Jameis Winston
Florida State University quarterback and Heisman Trophy hopeful Jameis Winston will not be charged in a case of alleged rape, the state attorney for Lee County, Florida, said today.
"We have a duty as prosecutors to only file ... Charges if we have a reasonable likelihood of a conviction," State Attorney Willie Meggs said. "We did not feel we could meet that burden."
A woman said Winston raped her in December, 2012. But Winston's attorney said the two had consensual sex. Ref. CNN
Jameis Winston (Hover)
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston has won the 2013 Heisman Trophy.
Winston led the top-ranked Seminoles to an undefeated regular season and a chance to play for a national championship in January. He recorded 3,820 passing yards and 38 passing touchdowns this year.
Winston's award comes as he tries to shake questions about a rape allegation made against him a year ago. He was ultimately not charged, but a news conference by his accuser's lawyer the day before the Heisman presentation kept feeding the story. Asked about the case on Friday, Winston said, "It was stressful, but you've got to look forward."
The Heisman Trophy honors the nation's most outstanding college football athlete. It is voted on by more than 900 sports journalists and every living former Heisman winner. Ref. CNN
Florida State's Jameis Winston has been selected as the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Seminoles quarterback threw for 65 touchdowns in two seasons. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2013, when he threw for 4,057 yards and 40 touchdowns and led Florida State to the national championship.
Earlier this month former Florida State student Erica Kinsman filed a lawsuit against Winston, alleging sexual battery. He has said the sex was consensual. Winston was not arrested in the 2012 incident, and a school panel ruled he did not violate the student conduct code. Ref. CNN