Sean Rossman

Democrat staff writer

Update 5:02

Jameis Winston's Student Conduct Code hearing has concluded.

John Clune, the attorney for the woman who accused Winston of sexually assaulting her in December 2012, said he expects a decision in the next two to three weeks.

David Cornwell, Winston's attorney, insisted the hearing was a plan to set up a civil suit against Winston.

"We're pleased that it's over. We now know what the game plan was because the only thing we that we got was more inconsistencies and lies," Cornwell said outside FSU's Materials Research Building where the hearing took place. "This process was about making a record to do as I have always said, take this matter to civil court."

Clune said its possible his client will file a civil suit.

"We want to see what happens with this decision first. So we're not going to rule it out," Clune said. "But this decision is actually something that's going to be really important in terms of deciding whether or not to do that."

Winston faces up to four violations of the Student Conduct Code.

Check back with Tallahassee.com for more updates.

Afternoon update

The Florida State University Police Department officer who responded to a sexual assault on the morning of Dec. 7, 2012 arrived at the Student Conduct Code hearing of Jameis Winston Wednesday morning, along with a representative of State Attorney Willie Meggs' office.

Officer Dinorah Harris of FSU PD spent about an hour and a half at the Materials Research Building, where Winston and the woman who accused him of sexual assault are in the middle of the hearing, which has stretched into a second day. Harris did not speak with media, only saying she assisted with the case.

At 1:45 p.m. this afternoon, Jason Newlin, an investigator in the State Attorney's Office arrived with the full investigative file of the case. The file was released last December when Meggs chose not to move forward with charges against Winston.

Newlin was contacted by Chief Assistant State Attorney Georgia Cappleman on Nov. 14, 2013, and assigned to investigate a sexual battery allegation involving Winston. He wrote the Dec. 5, 2013 report summarizing his findings.

Newlin said he received an email from FSU within the last two weeks asking him to appear at the hearing. He wasn't told what questions he'd be asked, how long he would be there or any explanation of the hearing's guidelines.

A victim advocate from the state attorney's office will be appearing at the hearing later today, Newlin said. He didn't know whether Meggs or Cappleman were asked to appear.

Winston faces up to four violations of the university's student conduct code.

Check back with Tallahassee.com for more updates.

Update 9:17

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston and his attorney David Cornwell arrived shortly before 9 a.m. to the second day of his Student Conduct Code hearing related to a sexual encounter he had with a fellow student in December 2012.

The woman who accused Winston of sexual assault arrived shortly after along with her Colorado legal team of Baine Kerr and John Clune.

Both the woman and Winston are expected to remain in different rooms throughout the process. Yesterday, former Florida Supreme Court Justice Major Harding, who was selected to hear the case, heard testimony from three to four witnesses during a span of five hours.

Clune told reporters yesterday that more people than yesterday are expected to testify today.

It's still unknown when the hearing will end.

Winston faces up to four violations of the university's Student Code of Conduct.

Original story

The highly publicized and twice-delayed hearing began Tuesday in a second-floor conference room of the Materials Research Building on Levy Avenue. Winston faces up to four violations of the student code related to the sexual encounter he had with the woman in December 2012.

Winston and the woman were at the building for about five hours Tuesday while testimony was heard from three or four people, according to John Clune, the woman's attorney. Clune said the number of testifiers will be larger Wednesday, but could not say who had testified, who will or how long it will take.

At no point during the proceeding were Winston and the woman in the same room.

Winston's teammates, cornerback Ronald Darby and defensive end Chris Casher, arrived in an SUV and were quickly whisked away after spending about a half hour inside the building. It's unknown whether they testified, neither spoke with the media. A similar disciplinary board ruled on whether Darby and Casher violated the school's student code in June after they told the Tallahassee Police Department they witnessed sex between Winston and the woman. Both were not expelled or removed from the team.

The beginning of the hearing marks several months of back and forth between Winston's Atlanta-based attorney David Cornwell and the woman's Boulder, Colo.-based legal team of Clune and Baine Kerr. Both sides made statements before and after the day's proceedings.

Clune issued a statement Tuesday morning saying Winston has been trying to avoid the hearing for two years and that "neither James Winston nor his lawyer can stop what's coming."

Cornwell addressed the media outside the building before the hearing started saying he intended to end the process that day.

"Unfortunately, in these types of cases, the only way to confront a lie is with the truth," Cornwell added. "Jameis will tell the truth and we are confident that Justice Harding, when he hears her multiple lies and Jameis' truth, will find as every other entity has to this point, that she is lying."

Cornwell, who has criticized the university's handling of the case, reiterated his client's innocence.

"Jameis did not rape or sexually assault (the victim)," he said.

When the day's proceedings ended, Winston, flanked by his legal team, strode out of the building without saying a word.

"We think this nightmare will be over very soon," Cornwell told reporters.

Clune said the woman, who is no longer an FSU student, hopes the outcome will validate her.

"She's had Mr. Winston and some of his advisers saying some very negative things about her," he said. "So to have the judge agree with her and reach the determination that she thinks is the right and accurate determination, that's probably the best-case outcome."

The long-awaited hearing comes as Winston, last year's Heisman Trophy winner with a 28-0 record as an FSU starter, prepares for the ACC Championship game on Saturday. He faces up to four violations of the student conduct code. If he were to be found responsible for any wrongdoing, he could face sanctions that could affect his ability to play out the rest of the season.

A decision must be made within 10 days of the hearing's finish. Depending on the outcome, Winston or the accuser could appeal, which could further push back any final decision.

Winston and the Seminoles take on No. 16 Georgia Tech on Saturday in the ACC Championship game.

Update 5:09

Jameis Winston and his attorney David Cornwell left FSU's Materials Research Laboratory about 5 p.m. today

Cornwell stated he would be back tomorrow but did not say when.

John Clune, the attorney representing the woman who accused Winston of sexual assault in 2012, left as well.

Check back with Tallahassee.com for updates.

Update: 1:30 p.m.

Florida State star quarterback Jameis Winston and his attorney David Cornwell arrived at FSU's Materials Research building this afternoon for his Student Conduct Code hearing.

Winston faces up to four violations of the conduct code.

The woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her in December 2012 also arrived with her legal team.

Cornwell told the media he "intends to end this process today."

"Unfortunately, in these types of cases, the only way to confront a lie is with the truth," Cornwell added. "Jameis will tell the truth and we are confident that Justice Harding, when he hears her multiple lies and Jameis' truth, will find as every other entity has to this point, that she is lying."

Cornwell reiterated Winston's innocence.

"Jameis did not rape or sexually assault (the victim)," he said.

Cornwell again said Patricia Carroll, the woman's former attorney, tried to extort Winston.

"She said if you pay us $7 million you will never hear from us again, but if you don't, we will bring in the Colorado attorneys," he said.

The woman's Boulder, Colo.-based attorney John Clune issued a statement before this afternoon's hearing, something he said Winston has been "trying to avoid for two years."

"This courageous young woman finally gets the chance to stand up for herself and against Mr. Winston and big time college sports, which has long run over the rights and protection of women on campus," he continued. "Neither Jameis Winston nor his lawyer can stop what is coming."

Cornwell called the statement the "execution of their extortion plan."

The hearing is currently underway.

Check back with Tallahassee.com for updates.

Update: 11:12 a.m.

An attorney representing the woman who accused Jameis Winston of sexually assaulting her issued a strongly worded statement ahead of the star Florida State quarterback's Student Conduct Code hearing this afternoon.

Winston faces up to four student conduct code violations related to the alleged December 2012 incident.

"This is the day that Mr. Winston has been desperately trying to avoid for two years," John Clune said in an emailed statement. "This courageous young woman finally gets the chance to stand up for herself and against Mr. Winston and big time college sports which has long run over the rights and protection of women on campus.

Neither Jameis Winston nor his lawyer can stop what is coming," he added.

Original Story:

Jameis Winston's twice-delayed student conduct code hearing appears to be a go for today.

The star Florida State quarterback faces up to four violations of the university's Student Conduct Code related to an alleged December 2012 sexual assault of a female student.

One of the woman's Colorado-based attorneys, Baine Kerr, told the Tallahassee Democrat on Monday the hearing was still scheduled and he was to arrive in town later in the day.

Winston's lead attorney, David Cornwell, did not immediately return a call for comment on the status of the hearing.

The police investigation into the case languished for months and last December State Attorney Willie Meggs chose not to pursue criminal charges against Winston citing a lack of evidence.

Testimony in Winston's student conduct code case — which is confidential under federal law — could last a day or more.

Such hearings typically begin with the accused student giving an opening statement followed by the presenting of witnesses and evidence by a university panel, said Tallahassee lawyer Tim Jansen, who formerly represented Winston and has assisted many other student clients through the process. After the panel presents its case, the accused may present witnesses and evidence.

In sex assault cases, he said the accused and the accuser are seated in different rooms and can ask questions by writing them down on a piece of paper and handing them to a chairman. Representatives such as lawyers cannot speak except to raise objections but may advise a client what questions to ask.

The accused may give a closing statement and panelists may ask final questions before deliberations begin, Jansen said. The panel typically comes back with a decision and any sanctions seven to 10 days after the hearing.

If a student is found in violation of the conduct code, the decision may be appealed, setting the stage for another hearing, which would delay resolution of the case.

Winston's hearing comes five days before undefeated and No. 2-ranked FSU plays Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship game. A win would allow FSU to compete in the inaugural four-team College Football Playoff.