Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston’s attorney asserted on Friday that last year’s Heisman trophy winner will countersue if former college classmate brings a sexual assault suit against him.
After a Wednesday FSU student-conduct hearing on the alleged assault, Winston’s attorney David Cornwell tweeted:
If sued, JW will counterclaim n sue PCarroll n JClune 4 defamation & civil extortion. Can’t b defendants n counsel. EK will need new attys.
— David Cornwell (@wmdavidcornwell) December 5, 2014
Breitbart News reported on Thursday that Winston, in a long and graphic statement, acknowledged that he had consensual sexual relations with his accuser but did not force himself on her. Moreover, he remarked: “Rape is a vicious crime. The only thing as vicious as rape is falsely accusing someone of rape.” Winston’s accuser allegedly seeks $7 million in settlement for her charge.
Prosecutor Willie Meggs declined to file criminal charges last year regarding the December 2012 incident, citing a lack of evidence. Cornwell referred to the accuser’s charge as a “shakedown.”
The beleaguered quarterback currently faces four potential violations of FSU’s code, Fox Sports reports. John Clune, an attorney for Winston’s accuser, believes that FSU heard enough evidence to expel Winston, currently seeking a second straight NCAA national championship. “The testimony came in as we had hoped it would,” he said.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.