USA Today

After weeks of speculation, Florida State freshman quarterback and Heisman Trophy front-runner Jameis Winston was not charged with sexual assault stemming from a December 2012 incident, State Attorney Willie Meggs confirmed (via Dan Wolken of USA Today):



Meggs: We've carefully examined all evidence. No charges filed against anyone. — Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 5, 2013

Updates From Friday, Dec. 13:

Winston's accuser's attorney, Patricia Carroll, held a press conference on Friday regarding State Attorney Willie Meggs' decision not to press charges. Sean Rossman of The Tallahassee Democrat and Joey Johnston of The Tampa Bay Times brought us the details:

Carroll: "At no time has the victim in this case ever signed a waiver of prosecution." — Sean Rossman (@SeanRossman) December 13, 2013

Carroll says TPD detective did not issue a search warrant for Jameis Winston after learning he was a suspect, but did for her client — Sean Rossman (@SeanRossman) December 13, 2013

Carroll: It is common practice for "outcry witnesses" to be interviewed by detective. Says that never happened — Sean Rossman (@SeanRossman) December 13, 2013

According to Rossman, Carroll said the state and complainant's family's medical records were different:

Carroll: "There is no reason why the state would redact the injuries sustained by the victim" — Sean Rossman (@SeanRossman) December 13, 2013

Carroll: "We perceive that as a problem that warrants further investigation" — Sean Rossman (@SeanRossman) December 13, 2013

Rossman and Johnston both explained how Carroll attacked the police's handling of the case:

Carroll: "No investigation was conducted to speak of into the suspect in this case." — Sean Rossman (@SeanRossman) December 13, 2013

Attorney for Jameis Winston's accuser blasts Tallahassee PD handling of case, saying it was botched from beginning. — Joey Johnston (@JJohnstonTBO) December 13, 2013

Attorney for Jameis Winston's accuser says Feb police report filled with inconsistencies. Detective didn't follow protocol. — Joey Johnston (@JJohnstonTBO) December 13, 2013

Attorney for Jameis Winston's accuser said detective wouldn't return her calls in early stages.Communication through victim advocate. — Joey Johnston (@JJohnstonTBO) December 13, 2013

Attorney for Jameis Winston's accuser said she wasn't told about case being closed. "There's something very fishy going on here," she said. — Joey Johnston (@JJohnstonTBO) December 13, 2013

However, Rossman reported that they were not looking to press civil charges:

Carroll: "Not looking into civil litigation at this time." — Sean Rossman (@SeanRossman) December 13, 2013

Carroll also had an issue with the eye-witness accounts of the incident from FSU football players:

Carroll: Meggs "relied heavily" on eye-witness statements of two FSU football players when he decided not to charge Jameis Winston — Sean Rossman (@SeanRossman) December 13, 2013

Carroll: Said witness statements by FSU football players were "patently false" — Sean Rossman (@SeanRossman) December 13, 2013

Carroll: "My client is alleging still that he (Winston) raped her." — Sean Rossman (@SeanRossman) December 13, 2013

Johnston went on to detail why Carroll decided to hold this press conference and more of what she believed happened:

"We didn't feel we were going to get a fair investigation. We didn't feel we were going to get justice." Attorney for Jameis Winston accuser — Joey Johnston (@JJohnstonTBO) December 13, 2013

Attorney of Jameis Winston's accuser believes she was drugged at bar and accounts for sketchy memory. — Joey Johnston (@JJohnstonTBO) December 13, 2013

Finally, the attorney called on the Florida Attorney General to look into the case, and the policies of the Tallahassee Police Department, according to Johnston:

Attorney for Winston's accuser calls for Florida Attorney General to conduct independent investigation into Stare Attorney, Tallahassee PD. — Joey Johnston (@JJohnstonTBO) December 13, 2013

From Dan Wolken of USA Today:

Attorney: "Do I believe this failure of an investigation was related to the fact he was on the football team? I do." — Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 13, 2013

CBS' Dan Feldman and Associated Press reporter Ralph Russo added Winston's take:

Winston on if he's been treated fairly by media: "I prefer not to get into that. I don't know ppl's motives. I just prefer to play football" — Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) December 13, 2013

Winston: "I knew I could respect the process and I'd eventually be vindicated." — Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) December 13, 2013

AL.com's Andrew Gribble added more: