I will admit I love watching Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston play the game of football.
He is exciting, talented, and to say the least, entertaining. He is clearly the best football player in America and richly deserves the Heisman Trophy. I think he will lead Florida State to a National Championship and he is destined to earn a ton of cash playing professionally in the NFL.
I also think it is time to formally charge him with sexual assault or apologize to the young man.
Let me be perfectly clear and state that any man who sexually assaults a woman should go to jail and serve the appropriate sentence. I do not believe in probation or diversion, as the first time one is convicted it must carry a penalty that speaks loudly and clearly. No gray area and no mercy.
For those of you not in tune with the matter, Winston had a sexual assault claim levied against him by a young woman whose attorney claims the “encounter” was not consensual and a crime has been committed. Winston’s camp retorts it was consensual and readily agreed to DNA testing.
The Tallahassee Police Department to date has shown a clear and tragic resemblance to an Abbott and Costello skit, not knowing what to do, what is true, and who did what.
The original complaint was filed in November of 2012 and for some unknown reason the accuser broke off “communications” regarding the matter with law enforcement leaving them with no choice but to file the matter away.
Meanwhile, Winston has distinguished himself on the field this season and now that things have taken off and his team is headed toward a potential BCS Championship match up, the case is reopened based on something that borders between fact and fiction. Both parties are now posturing through their attorneys and the Police in Tallahassee are now under the thumb of the State Attorney General’s office who, in my opinion, seems to be more interested in whether or not the hometown police have protected Winston than they are resolving the matter.
All the while, the accused forges ahead athletically and despite the dark cloud lingering over his head, plays at an exceptionally high level. Couple that with the barrage of news coverage as well as gossip channels chiming in, and what would appear to be a rather cut and dry matter has become convoluted and embarrassing for all involved. While I want the accuser to be heard and given all due consideration, I keep looking at the timing of the reopening of this case and wonder why now and not before?
Certainly the statute of limitations are in no danger here, but it does seem interesting how the wound reopens just as the limelight brightens on Winston whose attorney claims there is sworn testimony on file that will exonerate his client. That being said, it is both sad and comical in terms of how this situation is being handled. Would it be the first time a big name athlete walked away from a crime due to their prowess on the field? Oh, no. However the lingering aspect of this case is no longer acceptable and demands a call be made to dispose of it fairly and properly.
Winston has been all smiles as he goes about the business of obliterating opponents and reaching for the glory that accompanies a National Championship. His accuser is protected by the Rape Shield Law that is consistent with this type of case, so she remains unnamed which is only appropriate at this juncture. One can only imagine her frustration if indeed the charges are valid and the misery it brings her daily.
Clearly there is a liar in this case and it behooves the state of Florida to find who is being deceitful and do it now. Lets forget about football, and start thinking of both parties, their reputations and their futures. Money and fame await Winston if he is innocent just as it will if he is guilty but not charged. It is time for the law enforcement community involved in this matter to come together and resolve it. Sure I can wait until football season is over, but those involved in the case shouldn’t have to. Make a decision now as the final score in this game is permanent.
Danny Bridges can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
