The attorney of the woman who accused Jameis Winston of sexual assault plans to file a civil lawsuit against the Florida State quarterback and the Tallahassee Police Department.
“I want heads to roll,” Patricia Carroll, the accuser’s attorney, told ABC News on Wednesday.
Winston was accused of raping a former female Florida State student in December 2012. State attorney Willie Meggs opted not press charges against Winston in December, stating there was a lack of evidence to support the charge and there was not a reasonable chance of conviction.
Carroll said she will “absolutely” sue TPD, Winston and possibly the university.
The accuser went to school at FSU, but left this past semester after Winston’s involvement in the case became public. According to Carroll, Assistant State Attorney Georgia Cappleman said that it would not be safe for the accuser to come back to FSU.
“I inquired … if she could return to FSU and they told me absolutely not,” Carroll told ABC News. “They too had the impression she would be in physical danger.”
Winston’s attorney, Tim Jansen, did not immediately return calls and text messages from the Orlando Sentinel. He said in December that Winston would “defend” himself if a civil suit was filed after the state attorney did not press charges against him.
“Well I think that anybody that decides to do a civil suit needs to look at all the affidavits, all the evidence…,” Jansen said. “I believe an experienced attorney will look and realize, ‘we don’t believe there’s probable cause here that a crime was committed.’
“And of course, Mr. Winston will defend and, if he has to, we will take action on his behalf.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
