The woman who accused Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston of raping her in 2012 has filed a civil lawsuit in Orange County, Florida, against the possible top pick in the NFL Draft.
Calling Winston an “entitled athlete who believes he can take what he wants,” attorney John Clune maintained in a statement: “He took something here that he was not entitled to and he hurt someone. There are consequences for that behavior and since others have refused to hold him accountable, our client will.”
The suit revealed a fresh claim that the alleged rape occurred over the vocal objections of Seminole teammate Ronald Darby.
The civil suit, though facing fewer challenges than a criminal trial would, will encounter challenges. Florida prosecutors reviewed the case and found the evidence not compelling enough to pursue. The evidence also did not persuade a Florida State University investigation, spearheaded by a former Florida Supreme Court justice, that Winston had raped the woman.
The purported victim seeks a jury trial and damages.
The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner plans to fight the suit. His attorney has previously stated that his client would counter sue for defamation and extortion.
This fall Winston offered a vigorous defense of himself to the Florida State investigators. “Rape is a vicious crime,” Winston then declared. “The only thing as vicious as rape is falsely accusing someone of rape.”
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