The on-going tragicomedy of Jameis Winston's tenure at Florida State reached a new high/low last night, as the university quietly devised further protections for the Seminoles quarterback in spite of the allegations of sexual assault currently weighing against him.
According to a source close to the situation, the university has decided to postpone Winston's investigative hearing to determine whether these allegations place him in violation of the school's student conduct code. The hearing will now be held on December 1. The move is seemingly innocuous, but upon closer examination, lends itself to a crucial exception: A decision on Winston's hearing will not need to be made until January 13, one day after the NCAA National Championship game.
Here's the breakdown, per USA TODAY (emphasis our own).
FSU's conduct code says a decision letter will be sent to the student within 10 class days from the conclusion of the hearing but allows for more time "if additional consideration of evidence and deliberation is required."
The last day for fall semester final exams is Dec. 12 and spring semester classes begin on Jan. 7.
If the proceedings conclude on Dec. 5, Major Harding, a former Florida Supreme Court judge who is conducting the investigative hearing, would not be due to render a decision until Jan. 13, one day after the championship game.
So, thanks to his friends in Tallahassee, FL, it appears that Winston will be able pull off another miraculous Houdini act. Sure, he may receive a punishment for his actions on January 13, but at that point, will it even matter? No.
By then, Winston will have possibly secured a second National Championship victory, and will almost definitely be preparing himself for the NFL Draft. What will he care about whatever slaps FSU tries to lay on his wrist?
[via USA TODAY]
