On Wednesday, new information regarding the sexual assault case against Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston came to light.
Here's what we know about the situation so far.
Who is Jameis Winston?
Winston is a 6-foot-4, 228-pound redshirt freshman quarterback from Bessemer, Alabama, who plays for the Florida State Seminoles. He was the no. 1 high school quarterback prospect in the class of 2012 and was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 15th round of that year's MLB amateur draft (he was a relief pitcher/outfielder for the FSU baseball team for the 2013 season). Additional accolades: USA Today 2011 All-USA First-Team All-American, Sports Illustrated Second-Team All-American, 2011 Alabama Gatorade State Player of the Year.
Why is Winston important in college football?
He has led the Seminoles to a so-far undefeated season (10-0, 8-0 ACC) with a likely chance of playing in the BCS National Championship. FSU is ranked no. 2 in the polls and is also in second place in the BCS standings (trailing Alabama, which is also undefeated). He boasts a 70.9 percent completion rate (185-for-261) and has amassed 2,938 receiving yards, 145 rushing yards, and 31 touchdowns (28 passing, three rushing). He's 14th in passing yards among FBS quarterbacks and is a leading Heisman Trophy candidate.
What do we know about the sexual assault case tied to Winston?
December 7, 2012 — A Florida State student from the Tampa Bay area reported that a sexual assault had occurred at an off-campus apartment. Police investigated the incident, took witness testimony, and collected evidence, including assembling a sexual-assault kit. The case was assigned to the Tallahassee Police Department's Special Victims Unit.
January 2013 — According to the Tampa Tribune, the woman's Dade City attorney, Patricia Carroll, contacted Tallahassee police Detective Scott Angulo after the woman's family "grew concerned that she would be targeted on campus."
February 2013 — Tim Jansen, Winston's attorney, said police approached him in February but said soon after that the case was no longer being investigated. Tallahassee's interim police chief, Tom Coe, said the accuser stopped cooperating with police at around the same time: "In February 2013, the case was classified as open but inactive, when the victim in the case broke off contact with TPD, and her attorney indicated she did not want to move forward at that time.
