Jameis Winston Cleared In FSU Code of Conduct Hearing

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston has been cleared of any potential violations following his code of conduct hearing.  

David Cornwell, Winston's attorney, tweeted the news on Sunday:

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"In sum, the preponderance of the evidence has not shown that you are responsible for ANY of the charged violations of the Code."

— David Cornwell (@wmdavidcornwell) December 21, 2014"

Sean Rossman of the Tallahassee Democrat received confirmation from Cornwell:

ESPN's Mark Schlabach confirmed Winston did answer questions from the chief justice and the accuser: 

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After initially declining to answer questions from retired Florida State Supreme Court chief justice Major Harding and his accuser, Winston gave brief answers to one question and two follow-up queries from Harding, according to a transcript of the two-day hearing.

Winston said he thought his accuser gave consent both "verbally and physically" during the encounter at his off-campus apartment on Dec. 7, 2012.

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On Monday, Cornwell discussed the case with NBC Sports' Erik Kuselias on NBC Sports Radio's The Erik Kusilias Show, and stated that a countersuit would be filed if Winston's accuser files a civil suit, courtesy of Matt Lombardi of CollegeSpun.com:

Sports Illustrated's Michael McMann weighed in on the university's ruling:

Winston has been the subject of a sexual assault accusation stemming from an alleged incident in December 2012. After an investigation, the state attorney decided not to charge him in December 2013, but he was still subject to discipline from the university.

Avoiding punishment from the code of conduct hearing, which ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach noted could have included expulsion, will make Winston certain to play in the forthcoming Rose Bowl versus Oregon.

Retired Florida Supreme Court justice Major Harding oversaw the Title IX code of conduct case and delivered the decision 18 days after the Dec. 3 hearing. 

USA TODAY provided an excerpt of Harding's ruling:

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"This was a complex case, and I worked hard to make sure both parties had a full and fair opportunity to present information. In sum, the preponderance of the evidence has not shown that you are responsible for any of the charge violations of the Code. Namely, I find that the evidence before me is insufficient to satisfy the burden of proof.

"As summarized in the preceding paragraphs, the evidence regarding the events that unfolded between you and (the woman) once in your room is irreconcilable," Harding wrote. "In light of all the circumstances, I do not find the credibility of one story substantially stronger than that of the other. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses. I cannot find with any confidence that the events as set forth by you, (the woman), or a particular combination thereof is more probable than not as required to find you responsible for a violation of the Code."

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According to FSU policy, the alleged victim has five class days to appeal the decision. Given that FSU is currently on holiday break, that deadline would be Jan. 13. 

Florida State remains under investigation by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. In April the department began investigating FSU's handling of alleged sexual violence and compliance with Title IX.

Sunday's ruling should help at least a little with regard to the redshirt sophomore Winston's 2015 NFL draft stock. Even with a checkered past, the Heisman Trophy and national title accolades, along with an understanding of a pro-style offense, make Winston a top prospect.

The off-field issues have persisted as a part of Winston's image, though. Winston shoplifted crab legs in the spring and shouted an unsavory phrase in the student union that earned him a one-game suspension this year.