Jameis Winston answered three questions at his Florida State student code of conduct hearing earlier this month, according to a newly published transcript, in testimony that ultimately resulted in the star quarterback being cleared of sexual assault allegations by the university.
Winston also avoided criminal prosecution stemming from the accusation he raped a female student at his off-campus apartment in December 2012. The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner has said the sexual encounter was consensual.
ESPN reported Monday that Winston responded to three questions from retired Florida State Supreme Court chief justice Major Harding, who presided over the hearing, at the urging of Winston’s accuser. It was previously reported Winston merely read from a prepared statement.
All three concerned the definition and communication of “consent” during the night in question.
Here’s the exchange:
Harding: “I think it would be helpful, and I understand you have exercised your right, and you may continue to do so; but, from the purpose of helping the decision maker to understand, the Complainant has indicated that she continually resisted by saying no to your sexual overtures, and you have indicated that she gave consent. And I would like to know in what manner, verbally or physically, that she gave consent. And I ask that with the understanding that you have previously given.”
Winston: “Both, Your Honor, verbally and physically.”
Harding: “And what did she say and what did she do?”
Winston: “Moaning is mostly physically. Well, moaning is physically. And verbally at that time, Your Honor.”
Harding: “Well, that was during the sexual encounter?”
Winston: “Yes, Your Honor.”
Baine Kerr, an attorney for the accuser, called the university’s hearing unfair.
“I don’t want to impugn the proceeding as corrupt, but I think it was biased and the fix was in,” Kerr told the Associated Press on Monday. “It’s all about a football game 10 days from today. It turned out to be just a predetermined whitewash to keep a guy playing football.”
Winston will lead defending national champion Florida State against Oregon in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, a semifinal matchup in the inaugural College Football Playoff. The Seminoles are nine-point underdogs.