State attorney says not enough evidence to prosecute Jameis Winston
State Attorney Willie Meggs said at a Thursday news conference in Tallahassee, Fla., that Florida State star quarterback Jameis Winston will not be charged with sexual assault.
“No charges will be filed against anyone in this case,” Meggs said.
ESPN Tallahassee radio station WTSM-FM first reported the news about half an hour before the official word.
The investigation stemmed from a complaint filed by a Florida State student last December after an alleged incident at an off-campus apartment in Tallahassee.
Meggs said he could not bring a case unless he thought there was a reasonable expectation of a conviction.
“We did not feel we could meet that burden,” Meggs said.
The alleged victim said she was raped by Winston. Meggs said there was DNA collected that matched Winston’s but there was also another sample that was not his.
Meggs said the timing of the case had nothing to do with Florida State’s run to this year’s national title. Winston is also a leading candidate for this year’s Heisman Trophy and final ballots are due Monday.
“I have not been pressured nor have I consulted with the football schedule,” Meggs said.
He said the alleged victim did not know Winston but did know the other man involved in the case, who Meggs said was her boyfriend.
Meggs said he wished the Tallahassee Police Department had turned the case over to the state before Nov. 13 but said any wrongdoing by the department was “something others have to decide.”
Asked if the case was now closed, Meggs responded, “Yes it is.”
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