The woman accusing Florida State star quarterback Jameis Winston with sexually assaulting her was warned by an investigating detective through her attorney that her life "could become miserable," according to the Tampa Bay Times.
The newspaper also reports the alleged victim was told "this is a big football town" and she could easily become "targeted" on the FSU campus.
The statement was released by the family's attorney, Patricia Carroll, in the first public comments made by the complainant and her family since allegations surfaced last week that Winston was involved in the investigation of a sexual assault reported last December.
Winston, a leading Heisman Trophy candidate, has lead the Seminoles to a perfect 10-0 record and has FSU poised for a shot at a national title.
Despite reporting the alleged incident to FSU campus police on the night of Dec. 7, 2012, until now the investigation has languished in limbo after Tallahassee police failed to turn over their findings to the state's attorney office for nearly a year.
In an email dated Nov. 12, City Manager Anita Favors Thompson told commissioners investigators only ceased with conducting their investigation after the woman told authorities she no longer wanted to pursue charges and even left town to avoid speaking with investigators.
Leading Winston attorney Tim Jansen says he has already obtained sworn statements from at least two witnesses who support his client's versions of events that night and adds he was told as far back as February that the case had been closed.
Meanwhile, prosecutors maintain they hope to wrap up their investigation over the next several weeks.
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