William Meggs, the state attorney overseeing an ongoing sexual assault investigation involving Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, called the investigation a "cluster" on Friday. Meggs believes Tallahassee police handled the investigation incorrectly and was not sure why his office was not immediately notified when the incident took place in December. Per CBS Sports:
Jameis Winston investigation didn’t follow protocol, says state attorney
One attorney says the police department “clammed up” with a sexual assault investigation involving Florida State’s quarterback.
Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
“Our office would have been informed about this as soon as it occurred,” Meggs said. “We first learned about it at 10:02 a.m. on Wednesday...I don’t know if that’s alarming, but it’s a fact in the case. We can’t question motives. What the police department has done is clammed up.”
Tom Jansen, Winston’s attorney, said that the case had been closed by the time media outlets contacted him in February. He feels the story is now being media-driven, as Winston continues his quest for a national championship and Heisman Trophy.
With the case apparently reopened, the next step for police is to determine whether or not Winston is a suspect.
Winston’s lawyer, Tim Jansen, said that the Tallahassee Police Department wants a D.N.A. swab from Winston. Jansen said he doesn’t know why the case was reopened, but has provided two witnesses that he says will prove Winston’s innocence.
“There is no new evidence from what I understand, other than the evidence we have provided, which we believe will exonerate him,” said Jansen.
After the alleged sexual assault happened, the victim was treated by medical and lab personnel, according to the CBS Sports report. While more and more details are beginning to leak out, there is still a lot we don’t know about the victim and the case.
We do know that Winston is exercising his right to not discuss the case with the media, and that his attorney has said very little. Florida State has also remained tight-lipped about the situation. We also know Winston does not match the profile of the suspect, who was listed between 5’9-5’11 and approximately 240 pounds. Winston is listed at 6’4 and 228 pounds on FSU’s roster.
More from SB Nation college football:
See More:
