Florida State star quarterback Jameis Winston may not be suspended from the No. 2 ranked Seminoles even if he is criminally charged in connection with an ongoing sexual assault case.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, despite a FSU athletic department code of conduct policy that automatically bans any athlete from competing if charged with a felony school officials are now considering invoking a provision that allows for an exception to the rule.
According to reports, FSU's athletic policy manual reads: "In the event the student-athlete is charged with a felony, absent extraordinary circumstances as determined by the administration, he/she will not be permitted to represent FSU Athletics in game competition until such time as the charge is resolved and all court, university and athletics department conditions for reinstatement have been met."
The Sentinel adds it is unclear what could constitute "extraordinary circumstances as determined by the administration."
FSU officials have repeatedly declined to speak publicly about the Winston investigation because it is open and active. In the past, FSU has always adhered to the felony rule, including in the case of Greg Dent, a promising receiver, who has not played this season after being charged with felony second-degree sexual assault over the summer.
One day after Dent was charged with a felony, FSU coach Jimbo Fisher released the following statement: "We are aware of the situation with Greg Dent. He's suspended indefinitely from all team activities as we let the legal process run its course."
In the Winston case, a FSU student reported she was assaulted on the night of Dec. 7, 2012 and, according to her attorney, immediately identified the redshirt freshman quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate as her attacker.
The case then languished in limbo for nearly a year after state authorities allege the woman insisted she no longer wanted to press charges and stopped cooperating with investigators. Lead defense attorney Tim Jansen claims he has already obtained sworn statements from at least two witnesses who support his client's version of events that night.
Chief assistant state attorney Georgia Cappleman told The Sentinel there is no specific timeline for a decision on whether charges will be filed in time for the case.
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