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COLLEGE FOOTBALL Winston's conduct hearing slated today at FSU Comment By Orlando Sentinel MailTribune.com By Orlando Sentinel Posted Dec. 2, 2014 at 2:00 AM By Orlando Sentinel Posted Dec. 2, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Social News TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Nearly two years after Jameis Winston was first accused of sexually assaulting an FSU student, the star quarterback’s code of conduct hearing in connection with the incident is scheduled for today. After numerous delays and squabbling between attorneys, FSU is holding the hearing at noon to determine whether Winston committed four code of conduct violations — including sexual activity without consent and creating a hostile environment. Winston and his representatives have repeatedly said he is innocent and his contact with the woman who has since withdrawn from school was consensual. “We intend to put an end to this,” Winston’s adviser, David Cornwell, told the Orlando Sentinel. Tallahassee police, the state attorney and FSU’s student affairs office have all investigated whether Winston sexually assaulted a female FSU student in December 2012. State attorney Willie Meggs opted not to press charges against Winston in December 2013, citing insufficient evidence, an inefficient police investigation and inconsistent testimony from the accuser. FSU is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education to determine whether it failed to comply with federal Title IX statutes, which require conduct hearings in connection with any sexual assault claims made against a current student. School officials stated the conduct case was suspended because Winston and the accuser did not agree to be interviewed in January. The accuser was interviewed by FSU officials in August and the case was re-opened, leading to Tuesday’s hearing. The hearing has already been delayed twice, with Cornwell expressing concern that his client’s rights were not being protected and warning that, “Mr. Winston will not walk into a honey trap.” John Clune, one of the accuser’s Colorado-based attorneys, countered both sides had plenty of time to prepare for a fair hearing. “Both parties got the same materials at the exact same time,” Clune said. “… A school’s Title IX obligations to investigate are triggered by learning of a report of sexual assault, which happened almost two years ago in this case. If Mr. Winston has concerns about why the process took so long, a delay that kept Mr. Winston playing football, he can take that complaint up with Florida State.” Both Winston and the accuser are expected to attend the hearing, although the accuser is usually not in the same room as the accused in a sexual-assault hearing, according to Tallahassee defense attorney Tim Jansen. A panel consisting of trained faculty and students typically hears sexual-related hearings. In this case, however, FSU has selected Major Harding, a former justice of the Florida Supreme Court, to oversee and guide Winston’s hearing. Harding will eventually decide whether Winston violated the code of conduct and could make a recommendation for potential student discipline, which can range from a verbal reprimand to being banned from athletic activity or expulsion. However, “authority for student discipline ultimately lies with the university president,” an FSU spokesperson confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel. Following the hearing, Winston will be notified of the results within 10 class or exam days. The final day of exams for FSU’s fall semester is Dec. 12, meaning Winston may not receive a formal decision letter until the start of the spring semester on Jan. 7. The charged student then has the opportunity to appeal a decision, which could take 60-90 days, according to Jansen. During that time, disciplinary action would not be imposed. The latest FSU would play, if the Seminoles made the national championship game, would be Jan. 12. Winston could declare for the NFL Draft after the 2014 football season ends, negating any sanctions the university could impose. FSU plays Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Game Saturday in Charlotte, N.C. By Orlando Sentinel MailTribune.com By Orlando Sentinel Posted Dec. 2, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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