Two players linked to an alleged rape case at Florida State will be allowed to remain members of the university and the football program. Defensive end Chris Casher and defensive back Ronald Darby were not expelled from the university nor will they be removed from the football program according to a report by the Associated Press this week. A disciplinary board ruling determined neither player was guilty of violating the university’s code of conduct.
Casher and Darby were accused of witnessing Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston have sex with a woman. The woman accused Winston of raping her, but charges were never filed by authorities following an investigation. Casher and Darby were accused of violating the school’s policy against creating an environment of hostility toward any student. It was previously reported Darby was cleared of any violations against the school’s code of conduct, but the status of Casher was unconfirmed. The university also investigated Winston but found no reason to pursue any further action against him.
“It was a little surprising that both were not held responsible, but that is the panel’s discretion and she did feel as though the panel took their job seriously,” John Clune, an attorney representing the accuser said in a statement following the university’s ruling. “All that our client wanted was for the process to take place and these issues at Florida State not continue to be swept under the rug.”
The Department of Education is reviewing how Florida State handled the response of the alleged rape while an attorney representing the alleged victim has criticized the handling of the case by Tallahassee police.