# ESPN is reporting no charges for FSU's Jameis Winston. **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 5, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596 "2013-12-05T19:14:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/41 "2013-12-07T20:49:28Z")
Well as long as we’re guessing, my guess is Jameis Winston raped a drunk girl. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/42 "2013-12-07T21:00:15Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > My guess is she got drunk and did something she regretted and then told the story to a friend in a way that sounded a lot rapier than it actually was and it snowballed from there. That’s the storyline to about six different Law & Order SVU episodes. ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/43 "2013-12-07T21:11:33Z")
Jesus. This unsourced twitter hashtag bullshit from that tabloid website is reprehensible. This reflexive need for some sports fans to not only defend the sports star, but to vilify the accuser is as predictable as it is fucking disgusting. Based on what I know, I am as sure as hell not going to call him a rapist, and I am equally sure I am not going to call her a lying bitch. I have no idea what happened. Anonymous sources about a supposed twitter hashtag who’s use was deleted is beyond the realm of reliable information. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/44 "2013-12-07T21:13:34Z")
I’ve been reading the case file. Thanks for the link. I see TMZ reported the same story that Chris Casher told police. TMZ’s story was accurate. I can’t help but wonder if that story was entirely created from the investigation file? Casher may not have actually been interviewed by TMZ. Hook ups these days are so perilous. I don’t know what happened other than what the witness told the cops. This is a classic she said/he said case. The girl’s memories were so scrambled that its impossible to really know what happened. She didn’t willingly tell cops about the earlier hook up with another guy. They had to find out from the DNA. This case was very flawed and probably not prosecutable (in my amateurish opinion) ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/45 "2013-12-07T21:35:36Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I see TMZ reported the same story that Chris Casher told police. Chris Casher says the woman was texting her friend on behalf of Casher. Her texts from that night do not support that assertion. Chris Casher also said he got the woman’s number that night, but the police did not find her number in his phone. Is Chris Casher lying? From the PlayerPress article: > [@](#): > > Allegedly, Winston and the accuser had slept together consensually on numerous occasions including the night in question but he wouldn’t spend the whole night because his girlfriend was coming into town and the star quarterback refused to break up with her for the accuser. I see nothing in the police file to support any of that, do you? So is someone smearing the accuser? Who would have a motive to do that? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/46 "2013-12-07T21:44:51Z")
I haven’t commented about the PlayerPress article because I assumed it was just gossip. TMZ is a tabloid and I was careful to point that out. I really don’t know what to say about the case. The cops and then the state investigator looked at the statements. The inconsistencies in the girl’s and witnesses statements. They felt there wasn’t a case here that could be successfully prosecuted. I personally think the girl’s scrambled memory upset her. She was understandably concerned about who she had been with. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/47 "2013-12-07T21:54:03Z")
I’ve had a few college nights like that myself after drinking heavily. I _hated_ that woozy hungover feeling the next day. Puke still in my mouth, and pee stain on my pants. It only happened a few times and from then on I was careful to only have a couple beers at bars or partys. It’s all part of making mistakes and growing up. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/48 "2013-12-09T18:47:30Z")
> [@pricciar](#): > > Jesus. This unsourced twitter hashtag bullshit from that tabloid website is reprehensible. This reflexive need for some sports fans to not only defend the sports star, but to vilify the accuser is as predictable as it is fucking disgusting. It’s one of the most horrifying things about sports. And it’s also why we have rape shield laws. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/49 "2013-12-09T18:58:09Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I really don’t know what to say about the case. You already said it. Let’s review: [ul] [li]It’s a relief for FSU fans (good to see they were your first priority).[/li] [li]The guy needs to be more careful, because famous people can really have their lives fucked up.[/li] [li]The woman had semen from more than one guy (that, of course, means she’s a slut and cannot, by definition, be raped).[/li] [li]The guy might lose Heisman votes because of all this.[/li] [li]In your eighth post to the thread, you managed to demonstrate a modicum of concern for the young woman. Well done.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/50 "2013-12-09T22:07:08Z")
Two totally separate investigations came to the conclusion there wasn’t a case here that could be successfully prosecuted. The second investigation was in the glare of the national media spotlight. It would of been real easy to just go ahead with charges and prosecute a unwinnable case. They could have easily destroyed this kid’s life. He would have been suspended from college after charges were filed. Maybe a year later he gets acquitted and what chances would he have of being reinstated to the team? He probably would be flipping burgers or working at Walmart for the rest of his life. I felt a lot differently when I first heard about this case. It did seem like a cover up by the local cops. It bothered me that the hot shot quarterback got away with it. But a second state level investigation reached the identical conclusion. So I’m willing to accept that Jameis Winston didn’t commit a crime in this case. We’ll never know for sure. Theres always doubt in these he said/she said cases. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/51 "2013-12-09T22:08:41Z")
I was not commenting on whether the decision not to prosecute was appropriate or defensible. I was simply noting where your own priorities seemed to lie. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/52 "2013-12-09T22:47:44Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Two totally separate investigations came to the conclusion there wasn’t a case here that could be successfully prosecuted. Fine, as long as you understand that “We don’t think we can prove it beyond a reasonable doubt” is not the same as “It didn’t happen.” > [@](#): > > They could have easily destroyed this kid’s life. Aww. Poor fella. Did you happen to notice how this case has affected the accuser’s life? She has been smeared extensively, and had to move out of state. No sympathy for her, I guess. > [@](#): > > He would have been suspended from college after charges were filed. Maybe a year later he gets acquitted and what chances would he have of being reinstated to the team? He probably would be flipping burgers or working at Walmart for the rest of his life. Spare me. Michael Vick spent 9 months in prison and came right back to an NFL job. > [@](#): > > We’ll never know for sure. Theres always doubt in these he said/she said cases. And yet you seem willing to give all the benefit of that doubt to Winston, despite the fact that his supporters seem to be lying their asses off to protect him. I agree that we can’t know with certainty what happened, but **if** the accuser is telling the truth, I hope she sues Winston into penury. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/53 "2013-12-10T00:52:40Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > And yet you seem willing to give all the benefit of that doubt to Winston Well, that’s how it is supposed to be. Innocent until proven guilty and all that. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/54 "2013-12-10T03:42:19Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > And yet you seem willing to give all the benefit of that doubt to Winston, despite the fact that his supporters seem to be lying their asses off to protect him. So you’ve decided to believe the accuser and others have decided to believe the accused. That’s such a horrible miscarriage of justice. I don’t know why we bother with trials. We should just ask **Spoke**. > [@](#): > > I agree that we can’t know with certainty what happened, but **if** the accuser is telling the truth, I hope she sues Winston into penury. Wait, what? You JUST said that all of his supporters are lying, so why is it now “if”. Make up your mind. ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/55 "2013-12-10T03:54:21Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Aww. Poor fella. Poor fella? He was never charged, and there have been arguments that it took too long to pursue the case. Do you think it is possible that the consequences of charging someone make it less likely for anyone to be charged? What I mean is, in the current system he would have been instantly exposed in the media and suspended from school and his career if he was charged (not convicted, charged). I don’t know if that can be changed. There may be no way a case could be pursued that far without revealing names (both accuser and accused) to the media and suspending the accused. But I worry that by just saying “aww, poor fella” we are making it less likely for people to be charged. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/56 "2013-12-10T05:04:58Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > So you’ve decided to believe the accuser and others have decided to believe the accused. That’s such a horrible miscarriage of justice. I don’t know why we bother with trials. We should just ask **Spoke**. I can’t speak for **Spoke** (:)), but for me, it’s not a matter of simply believing the accuser. In this case, as in so many others, there’s a pretty good chance that the only people who really know what went on are the man and the woman involved. I also completely understand that, under our system of justice, a person is innocent until proven guilty. And i believe that’s precisely how it should be. But, while innocent until proven guilty is an excellent principle for running a legal system, it doesn’t logically follow that a lack of an indictment (or a “not guilty” verdict, in the case of a trial) means that no criminal activity took place, and that the woman in question is a lying whore who is just out for fame and money, and seeking to ruin the career of a star athlete. And that’s pretty much the position that the OP, and some of Winston’s supporters, are taking in this case. I haven’t yet, in this thread, taken a strong position on whether or not charges should have been filed. I’m sure that there are thing i don’t know about the case, and it could very well be that this was the appropriate course of action. I just find the unseemly gloating and slut-shaming by some of Winston’s supporters to be rather untoward. Also, even if the right course of action was taken in this case, it seems pretty clear to me that star athletes are, in cases like this, often given more leeway in the court of public opinion, and are protected as much as possible by people who, in many cases, don’t even really seem to care if they actually did it or not. > [@Zakalwe](#): > > Wait, what? You JUST said that all of his supporters are lying, so why is it now “if”. Make up your mind. There is no contradiction. Whether or not Winston assaulted the woman, he could still have found friends to lie for him in order to bolster his credibility. In cases where only the two principals really know what happened, it becomes a case of “He said, she said,” and in such cases having someone to back up your story is useful whether you did it or not. I believe it’s possible that Winston committed the assault and got friends to lie on his behalf. I also believe it’s possible that he didn’t commit the assault, and still got friends to lie on his behalf. It’s also possible that neither of those things happened. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2013, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/57 "2013-12-10T23:21:05Z")
The accuser’s family is holding a press conference on Friday, right before the Heisman is announced on Saturday. Starting to look even more like a money grab. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/58 "2013-12-11T15:37:37Z")
Or maybe a justly outraged family. Still waiting for you to explain all the lying by Winston’s supporters. ---
**Author:** ![Carl\_Corey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Carl\_Corey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carl_Corey)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/59 "2013-12-12T02:25:56Z")
Is Dalej42 a sock of Der Trihs or something? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596/60 "2013-12-12T20:07:11Z")
> [@Carl\_Corey](#): > > Is Dalej42 a sock of Der Trihs or something? Yeah, 8500 posts since 2004 makes me a sock puppet. :dubious: I’m sure there was some confusion that night, but I don’t think his teammates were covering up for him. The accuser may not be a prostitute but she sure is an attention whore. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/espn-is-reporting-no-charges-for-fsus-jameis-winston/675596.md?page=4)