The attorney for Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston wants more time to prepare for a disciplinary hearing, and the attorney for the alleged victim in his ongoing sexual assault case believes it is a ploy to keep Winston on the field for the undefeated Seminoles.
Although Winston was not charged for the alleged crime nearly a year ago, FSU is under a federal Title IX investigation for its handling of the case, and Winston, in turn, is still subject to punishment of the school's student code of conduct. Winston and his attorney, David Cornwell, were notified of the hearing last week.
"It's not going to have any impact on him playing," Winston's attorney, David Cornwell, told Sports Illustrated. Cornwell added: "What's the sense of urgency for this unique process? When has anyone confronted this before? We need time."
Attorney John Clune, who represents the alleged victim, wasn't shy about linking Winston's interest in staying on the field for the Seminoles (6-0) to Cornwell's interest in delaying the process.
"It sounds like the plan for Mr. Winston is to stall this out as long as possible to get through this football season," Clune said. "The Department Of Education says these cases should be resolved within 60 days of them learning of the harassment. That was 22 months ago. You'd think the school would be motivated to at least make an effort to resolve the matter as timely as possible."
FSU plays host to undefeated Notre Dame on Saturday in a game that has significant implications for the inaugural College Football Playoff.
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