Report: DA interviews Winston's accuser
Moving forward with the investigation of a 10-month-old case, the state attorney reportedly interviewed the woman who accused Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston of sexually assaulting her.
According to ESPN.com, William Meggs, the state attorney for Florida's Second Judicial Circuit, spoke Thursday with the FSU student who said Winston assaulted her at an apartment on Dec. 7, 2012.
After Florida State crime-lab tests conclusively linked Winston's DNA to the sample taken by authorities from the alleged victim's undergarments, Winston's attorney, Tim Jansen, told ESPN.com that his client had consensual sex with the woman.
Meggs is expected to decide soon whether to file charges against Winston. A felony charge could lead to his automatic suspension from the team based on school athletic department rules, according to ESPN.com
In an exclusive interview with the Tampa Bay Times on Wednesday, the alleged victim -- whom the newspaper identified as an FSU student from the Tampa area -- claims she was told by Tallahassee Police Department Detective Scott Angulo that Tallahassee was a "big football town," that her life would become "miserable" and she may be "targeted on campus" if she chose to proceed with the December 2012 case.
"When the attorney contacted Detective (Scott) Angulo immediately after Winston was identified, Detective Angulo told the attorney that Tallahassee was a big football town and the victim needs to think long and hard before proceeding against him because she will be raked over the coals and her life will be made miserable," the family said in their statement, according to the Times. "The family grew concerned that she would be targeted on campus."
Winston, FSU's sensational redshirt freshman signal caller who has rapidly emerged as the favorite to win the Heisman for the 10-0, No. 2-ranked Seminoles, has not been arrested or charged with any crime, nor has he ever been questioned or provided a statement to police in the matter.
The attorney for the women's family also contends that they were surprised to hear Jansen say last week that he was told the case was closed not long after the complaint to police was made.
The family also questioned why Winston's name was never mentioned in the police report even though he was identified by the alleged victim, according to the Times. The report was heavily redacted when released to the media last week.
The Times, which made the initial public records request almost two weeks ago, also claimed in its story that the family wanted to make it clear that it was not responsible for the leak of information about Winston, his alleged involvement or the re-opening of the case.
"It was never the intent of the victim or the family for this to become public," the family said in its statement. "The victim was trying to move on with her life, which has now been turned upside down once again."
Winston, 19, formerly was the No. 1 overall high school quarterback recruit in the nation.
He has passed for 2,938 yards and 28 touchdowns this season, leading FSU to the ACC's Atlantic Division title and the Seminoles' first unbeaten start since 1999 when they won their last national championship.
Florida State plays its regular-season home finale Saturday when it hosts Idaho (1-9) on Senior Day.
