Jameis Winston's hands are legally clean from a two-year process that involved a questionable sexual encounter, rape allegations and multiple courtroom appearances. The Florida State quarterback and 2013 Heisman Trophy winner was officially cleared of any wrongdoing by a judge on Sunday.
ESPN uncovered an interesting nugget from the proceedings, which otherwise featured Winston reading from a five-page statement and (lawfully) refusing to answer any other questions.
Despite Winston's claim that he would not answer anything, the accuser's attorney persuaded Judge Major Harding to coax a response from Winston.
"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," Harding told Winston. "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."
From ESPN:
After Winston initially hesitated to answer the question, Cornwell advised him that it was OK to answer, according to people who were in the room.
"Both, Your Honor, verbally and physically," Winston said.
"And what did she say and what did she do?" Harding asked.
"Moaning is mostly physically," Winston said. "Well, moaning is physically. And verbally at that time, Your Honor."
"Well, that was during the sexual encounter?" Harding asked.
"Yes, Your Honor," Winston said.
The incident in question took place in December 2012, and a lack of any immediate response by the Tallahassee police department clouded several pieces of evidence in the case — for example, potentially incriminating cell phone video that was allowed to be deleted from an accomplice's phone.
With the legal trouble off his chest, Winston will take part in Florida State's playoff game against Oregon on Jan. 1.
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