Winston hearing pushed to Dec. 1

ByMark Schlabach ESPN logo
Thursday, November 13, 2014

Florida Stateofficials have agreed to postpone quarterback Jameis Winston's upcoming student conduct code hearing until Dec. 1, people familiar with the process told ESPN.com Wednesday.

The delay comes at the request of Winston's attorney, David Cornwell, who told FSU officials he hadn't had sufficient time to review the evidence. FSU officials had previously informed Winston and the woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her in December 2012 that the hearing would take place next week.

The hearing will now take place two days after Florida State (No. 3 CFP, No. 2 AP) closes the regular season against rival Floridaat Doak Campbell Stadium. Under FSU's student conduct rules and regulations, the school will provide him with a written decision within 10 school days of the hearing or later "if additional consideration of evidence and deliberation is required." BothWinston and the woman who accused him are entitled to appeal the decision.

The decision to delay the hearing was reached Wednesday after a teleconference with Cornwell, FSU officials and John Clune, the woman's Title IX attorney.

Winston, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, faces as many as four potential student conduct code violations, including two related to sexual misconduct. The Florida state attorney's office in Tallahassee chose not to pursue criminal charges against Winston after an investigation in December 2013.

Retired Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Major Harding will hear the case Dec. 1. Harding will hear the evidence, decide whether or not Winston violated FSU's student conduct code and, if necessary, decide what his punishment will be, which could range from a written or verbal reprimand to expulsion.

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