The attorney for Florida State star quarterback Jameis Winston claims his client is not being treated fairly and he is "deeply concerned" over public comments made by prosecutors probing sexual-battery allegations against him.
Tallahassee-based defense attorney Tim Jansen reserved his harshest criticisms for State Attorney Willie Meggs, who over the weekend told reporters he feels witnesses in the case have had time to talk to lawyers and corroborate their stories about what actually took place on the night of Dec. 7, 2012.
Despite lodging a formal complaint with FSU police that night, which was soon thereafter turned over to the state police, investigators waited nearly a year before turning their findings over to prosecutors.
"There's nothing like being fresh on a case and walking in and saying, 'what happened last night,'" Meggs told Associated Press. "Now they've been talking to lawyers, they've been talking to each other and getting their stories together. People had 11 months to decide what they're going to say."
Jansen immediately rejected that notion, further claiming that he has obtained sworn statements from at least two witnesses that will completely exonerate Winston, widely considered one of the leading candidates for this year's Heisman Trophy.
The witnesses, along with the alleged victim, are now in the process of being interviewed by prosecutors. Meggs has indicated he hopes to make as a decision as to whether or not formal charges will be filed against Winston over the next several weeks.
"In December 2012 the witnesses were available, and in February law enforcement chose not to interview them," Jansen said. "Their story has not changed. Of Meggs, Jansen added "such extrajudicial public statements at this early point in his investigation raise concerns in the minds of Mr. Winston and the public that Mr. Meggs may not be conducting the objective, fair, and unbiased investigation which is the right of every person involved in the criminal justice system. We are confident that if those steps are taken, this cloud will be lifted and Mr. Winston will be fully exonerated of any wrongdoing."
Jansen later added that he was told by police in February the case had been closed and his client was no longer considered a suspect.
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