Dec. 04--Jameis Winston's code of conduct hearing concluded after two days, with attorneys from both sides arguing the evidence clearly favored their clients.
David Cornwell, Winston's attorney, questioned the entire process after the hearing concluded at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"The only thing we got was more inconsistencies and more lies," Cornwell said.
Winston has been accused of sexually assaulting a former FSU student in December 2012, an allegation he and his representatives have denied throughout Tallahassee police, state attorney and Florida State student affairs investigations.
FSU is conducting the hearing to determine whether Winston violated the student code of conduct. Winston could be subject to sanctions that range from a reprimand to expulsion from the school.
When John Clune, an attorney representing the accuser, was asked about Cornwell's remark, he said, "Mr. Cornwell and the truth, I don't think are very close friends."
Clune said the accuser testified but never was in the same room with Winston.
The attorney said he expects a decision in two to three weeks, although Winston will have the option to appeal if he is found responsible for one of four conduct violations related to sexual violence. FSU appeals have spanned 60 to 90 days in the past.
Cornwell said he expected Winston to be cleared of any wrongdoing.
"We finished the hearing today. We're pleased that it's over," Cornwell said. ". . . This process was about making a record, to do what I've always said, take this matter to civil court. We will do our best to shut it down with our briefs and have Justice [Major] Harding conclude that Jameis didn't do anything wrong. There certainly was no evidence in two days that suggested otherwise.
"It is a shakedown."
Clune countered he expected Winston to be found responsible and to be expelled from school.
The star quarterback opened the day wearing a dark gray suit, light pink dress shirt and pink tie as he arrived at the hearing with his attorney shortly before 9 a.m.
On the first day of the hearing, attorneys representing Winston and his accuser called the inquiry an opportunity for "vindication" and for "the truth to be heard."
Cornwell reiterated that stance Wednesday morning.
"This thing is over now," he said. "We may have more time, they haven't met their burden."
Clune confirmed Tuesday afternoon three or four witnesses spoke Wednesday and declined to offer details about the hearing.
Cornwell argued Wednesday morning that Clune violated retired Florida Supreme Court justice Major Harding's request not to speak publicly about the hearing.
"You guys are going to have to figure that out, clearly an indication that this isn't their end game," Cornwell said of Clune. "I've told you this is a civil-litigation strategy, that's what yesterday was about for them."
As he arrived Wednesday, Winston was asked by a reporter how he was doing, and the Heisman Trophy winner acknowledged the question with a nod and smile. He entered the building carrying two thick binders.
Winston's accuser also arrived shortly after 9 a.m. alongside her two Colorado-based attorneys, Baine Kerr.
Clune said little to reporters but did say he hoped the hearing would conclude Wednesday.
Dinorah Harris, who works for FSU police department and was the first responder following the alleged sexual assault, confirmed she is a witness as she arrived at the hearing Wednesday morning.
Jason Newlin, an investigator for the state attorney's office, arrived at approximately 1:45 p.m. to serve as a witness.
Newlin spearheaded the state attorney's investigation in the alleged sexual assault, in which he interviewed the accuser but not Winston. Carrying a binder with hundreds of pages about the investigation, Newlin was anxious when talking to media and unsure of what he would be asked during the hearing.
"I have no idea," Newlin said. "I really don't. I really don't know what this entails."
Newlin said that a victim's advocate from the state attorney's office was expected to testify Wednesday as well. He added that he's never heard of anyone from his office being requested to testify at an FSU code of conduct hearing.
When Clune was asked late Tuesday what his client could gain out of a system that may not discipline Winston before he potentially leaves for the NFL, he responded it was important for her voice to be heard.
"The first thing is, she wanted to be heard, and she's had the opportunity to do that," he said. "But then after that, she'd like to be validated. She's had Mr. Winston, some of his advisers say some very negative things about her, so to have the judge agree with her and make a determination that she thinks is the right and accurate determination, that's probably the best-case outcome. She's no longer a student here, so it doesn't make a huge difference to her about what the sanction is or what the consequence is, but just having that vindication would really be something that is really helpful to her."
Check back soon for more updates on this developing story.
