NYT: TPD mismanaged Winston rape case and FSU failed to investigate
New York Times on the Jameis Winston rape investigation or lack thereof. Winston may have actually sexually assaulted a second girl as well after the university already knew about the first alleged assault for months. The Tallahassee Police Department is complete and utter joke.
Also, it looks like the NYT investigation led to FSU's suspension of the 2 players who filmed the alleged assault.
And my favorite part: the president of FSU during this mess was just hired to be next president of Penn State. You can't make this stuff up.
April 16th, 2014 at 12:55 PM ^
That no one thought that was a really bad thing - conflict of interests, special interest undue influence, etc. That it seems to be OK says a lot about the school and whatever oversight board/trustee they have down there.
Can you imagine if someone floate the notion that the president here be paid by some booster group? The regents would be howling as would the faculty and students.
that lots of presidents get additional salary from a lot of sources, various "foundations" committed to the mission of said school, etc. Can't seem to find booster clubs, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if other schools did it. The tail already wags the decision-making dog, anyway. . .
April 16th, 2014 at 11:36 AM ^
Wouldn't they do a blood test during a rape kit? Then they could see if she was drugged when given a drink by Jameis. Anyone that watches Law and Order: SVU could've done a better investigation than these guys.
April 16th, 2014 at 11:51 AM ^
The TPD didn't get DNA from Wisnton until way after the earlier proceedings. Of course, the results were a match. So something sexual happened.
April 16th, 2014 at 12:25 PM ^
I thought he openly admitted to having sex with the victim, only that it was consensual.
April 16th, 2014 at 12:49 PM ^
After the accuser identified Mr. Winston as her assailant, the police did not even attempt to interview him for nearly two weeks and never obtained his DNA.
Mr. Winston has previously acknowledged having sex with his accuser but said it was consensual.
How Long It Took to Gather Key Evidence Investigators showed little interest in finding out what happened. They delayed talking to witnesses, interviewing Mr. Winston and collecting his DNA. 2012 2013 Nine months pass Dec. 7 Accuser tells police: A Florida State University student told police she was raped that morning after drinking at Potbelly’s, a popular local bar. Jan. 10 34 days Identify Mr. Winston: Police failed to identify Mr. Winston, learning his identity only after the accuser recognized him on campus and told police. Jan. 23 47 days Contact Mr. Winston: Tallahassee police investigators waited nearly two weeks before trying to contact Mr. Winston. Feb. 11 66 days Close case: Scott Angulo, the lead investigator, filed his first report, closing the case without interviewing crucial witnesses or getting DNA or phone records from Mr. Winston. Nov. 14 342 days Interview key witness: For the first time, investigators interviewed a football player who witnessed sex between Mr. Winston and the accuser. Obtain DNA sample: Investigators obtained Mr. Winston’s DNA that matches DNA found on the accuser's clothing.
April 16th, 2014 at 12:15 PM ^
Did anyone actually think FSU and the Talahassee police would let their perfect football season go down the tubes over this? Of course they covered it up. The only thing that surprises me is that people are surprised.
People, in general, suck. The more money and power that is involved, the more people suck.
April 16th, 2014 at 12:53 PM ^
I just said don't be surprised by it. The only time I'm surprised in life anymore is when someone actually does the right thing without being forced to. If you spend your life expecting anyone else to ever follow the rules unless they absolutely have to you will end up being disappointed more often than not.
April 16th, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^
Is anyone surprised by this? They clearly followed suit in Columbus by putting winning ahead of everything.
April 16th, 2014 at 12:42 PM ^
College football!
April 16th, 2014 at 12:43 PM ^
Ugh, this sucks. I guess it's partly just a result of getting older (35 now), and the fact that more of these stories are being reported in the Intenet age than it seemed like they used to be (which is a good thing, mind you), and also the combination of both of those with the NCAA issues, the over-the-top marketing of everything, the insane arms race (both for athletics and non-athletics) that is burying students in mountains of debt, etc., but I'm really finding my interest in college sports -- especially big time college sports waning these days. For the first time ever, I didn't feel even a little tinge of excitement when I submitted my season ticket renewal yesterday, after finally deciding to do so. I'm still posting here, so I obviously still care, but I feel like I have to stop paying attention and just completely bury my head in the sand, or accept the fact the fact that someday soon, I won't care at all and will have to walk away to something else.
Sorry for the whining. /end rant.
Why renew? Everyone is jaded but no one wants to hit these assholes where it hurts.
Good post, though.
As the game changes and more money moves into it, I've nearly given up interest. Really, it's just the momentum of decades worth of interest keeping me moving forward. At some point, probably sooner rather than later, I'll totally run out of steam.
April 16th, 2014 at 12:46 PM ^
It's too bad they didn't do one of East Lansing/MSU PD screwing up the rape case a few years ago.
It's amazing what they get away with up there.
I thought the ELPD recommended charges be filed, but the prosecutor's office declinded to press charges?
In this matter? It is a football factory similar to OSU and Alabama.
The mention of a second victim is heart breaking. Does it have any influence over the local police department? While certainly not directly, the goal of a national championship and Heisman Trophy would seem to have an indirect impact on the analysis of the case by the police.
It is difficult to imagine the impact on the primary victim. It is my understanding (which may be incorrect and if so, then I apologize) that most of the students on campus know her identity and she is having to live with this and fight through the impact on her reputation.
Something similar to this has happened at enough places that I think the question is how can anyone defend college football's valued and protected place in society at this point.
The game of football is rotten inside and out these days.
...I pretty much have to agree with you.
FSU cannot be proud of this. But it has happened in most places where sports are more important than human dignity/justice. It is an outrage that TPD/FSU was so blatant about the lack of pretending to care about a young women and her case. I’m not happy that people value football or any sport more than protecting the rights of citizens. I’m not surprised that ESPN is not running this on their front page because why would they investigate such a story. I’m not happy that in the 21st century in the USA you still have this good old boy BS stuff still happening and the police get away with being incompetent and the University does nothing. Can’t the Feds take away funding for this type of disregard of action from FSU? I feel bad for the young lady.
Absolutely disgusting. Reading that story made me a rage hurricane.
Anyone who thinks this won't be pursued further may not be aware of Walt Bogdanich's other work. Law enforcement in Florida is unfamiliar with him. If you haven't read this article and/or seen the associated Frontline episode you should - if the FSU case angers you this will shock you beyond belief.
http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2013/two-gunshots/
I heard several interviews with him regarding this case and am not surprised he's on the FSU one.