KAREEM COPELAND
Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida State spokesman confirmed that football players Chris Casher and Ronald Darby were not expelled or removed from the football team after a disciplinary board ruled on charges they violated the school’s Code of Conduct.
The two faced charges after they told police they witnessed sex between quarterback Jameis Winston and a woman who accused him of raping her in December 2012. Casher told police that he video recorded a portion of the encounter, but deleted the footage.
The board issued its recommendation to the Dean of the Students on Wednesday, 10 business days after it held a hearing.
The university did not provide details of the ruling, citing privacy laws. The accuser’s lawyer, John Clune, released a statement saying the women is “generally satisfied” with the result.
“It was a little surprising that both were not held responsible, but that is the panel’s discretion and she did feel as though the panel took their job seriously,” Clune wrote. “All that our client wanted was for the process to take place and these issues at Florida State not continue to be swept under the rug.”
Both players were accused of “conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.” Casher faced the additional charge of “recording of images without consent.”
Darby’s lawyer Tico Gimbel said, “We’re happy with the decision and he’s happy to put this behind him.”
Casher’s lawyer Adam Ellis also declined to specify details due to privacy laws, but said, “We feel like the process was fair. … He’s in Tallahassee to study and play football, and we’re very pleased with the result.”
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