The sexual assault case involving Heisman Trophy hopeful Jameis Winston has just taken a new turn. It was recently made public that a DNA sample found on the alleged victim’s clothing matched Winston’s DNA, a sample given voluntarily. While this makes it look as though Winston was involved in the assault; his attorney does not see it that way. His attorney, Tim Jansen, claims that this is no surprise to him or his client as they never denied Winston being in the apartment where the assault allegedly occurred. Their spin is that the “assault” was actually consensual sex.
Jansen expected the DNA to come back a match to Winston’s sample. However, he is furious that the results were leaked to the media. Jansen has compiled two sworn affidavits from fellow Florida State football players that support his client’s account of what happened that night. The woman has since dropped out of Florida State after this story went public last week. There were allegations that the Tallahassee Police Department told the woman to think long and hard about her decision to pursue charges against Winston. The woman’s attorney, Patricia Carroll, states that her client’s decision to continue in her pursuit for justice is not financially motivated. She claims her client is not the one who wanted to reopen this case and has put up resistance when it comes to aiding police.
“She’s not someone with any interest in ruining the football team,” Carroll said. “If this victim was interested in notoriety, why would she have not taken any action all this time? Anyone with a brain can see that. It’s ludicrous. It only came out when someone from the press got ahold of this. It’s really ruined her life. There’s no benefit in this to her whatsoever. She’s a good girl, and this is a nightmare. She was trying to move on with her life, and there was no benefit to her.”
FSU’s policy is that any athlete charged with a felony will be immediately suspended. Winston has led the Seminoles to a 10-0 season and a possible appearance in the BCS Championship Bowl. He is expected to play tomorrow at home against Idaho. Winston still has yet to address the statement publicly.
