A hearing involving the most famous college football player in the country, scheduled to begin next week, has reportedly been postponed.
Citing a person involved in the process, Rachel Axon of USA Today is reporting that "[a] Florida State investigative hearing into whether an alleged sexual assault involving quarterback Jameis Winston violated the student conduct code has been delayed to Dec. 1.” Winston would be facing up to four student code of conduct violations -- two for sexual misconduct, two for endangerment -- in connection to the alleged sexual assault of an FSU student in December of 2012, if the hearing is actually conducted.
Last week, Winston’s advisor/attorney, David Cornwell, requested a delay in the hearing so that his client could have the time to prepare for it. It was determined during a conference call Wednesday, Nov. 12, that Cornwell’s request would be granted.
The timing of the hearing and whatever decision may be forthcoming -- Winston could be facing anywhere from a verbal reprimand all the way up to expulsion from school -- is certainly relevant as it relates to the College Football Playoff. From Axon’s piece:Whether Winston is found responsible or not for any student conduct code violations, the delay means that decision might not be made until the Seminoles are in the College Football Playoff. FSU’s conduct code says a decision letter will be sent to the student within 10 class days from the conclusion of the hearing but allows for more time “if additional consideration of evidence and deliberation is required.”
The last day for fall semester final exams is Dec. 12 and spring semester classes begin on Jan. 7.
If the hearing concludes on Dec. 5 or later, any decision might not be rendered until after the national championship game. A period of 10 class days from that date would mean a decision would not be due until Jan. 13, one day after the championship game.
What’s unclear at the moment is if the Dec. 1 date would be satisfactory to Winston and, in particular, Cornwell. If the Dec. 1 date for the hearing doesn’t fit into Cornwell’s schedule, he may request to have it delayed even further. Any further delay, of course, would all but assure that no decision would be made until after the CFP title game.
The Seminoles are currently ranked No. 3 in the CFP rankings and are all but assured of a spot in the four-team field if they win out.