April 17, 2015 - Aaron Wilson
Jameis Winston facing lawsuit from accuser Erica Kinsman, Winston's lawyer calls it a 'stunt'
After his client, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, was sued by alleged sexual assault victim Erica Kinsman, his lawyer was dismissive of the lawsuit.
“This stunt was expected,” Winston’s attorney, David Cornwell, said in a statement. “Kinsman’s false accusations have already been exposed and rejected six times. This time will be no different. Mr. Winston welcomes the opportunity to clear his name with the truth.
"Mr. Winston is looking forward to the upcoming draft. He will not permit this ploy to distract him as he begins the journey of fulfilling his lifelong dream of being a championship quarterback in the National Football League."
The lawsuit was filed Thursday.
Winston is expected to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' top overall pick in two weeks.
Kinsman's allegations go back to December 2012.
Winston has repeatedly said he's innocent of wrongdoing and wasn't charged after being investigated by the school and law enforcement authorities.
Kinsman alleged sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment and intentionally inflicting emotional distress during their sexual encounter.
Kinsman is seeking damages in excess of $15,000 and a jury trial, alleging that Winston's conduct "went beyond all possible bounds of decency and was shocking, atrocious and utterly intolerable in a civilized society."
"Jameis Winston . . . has proven time and time again to be an entitled athlete who believes he can take what he wants," Kinsman's attorney, John Clune, said in a statement. "He took something here that he was not entitled to and he hurt someone. There are consequences for that behavior and since others have refused to hold him accountable, our client will."
The State Attorney's office declined to press charges, citing a lack of evidence and "problematic" testimony from Kinsman.
The lawsuit alleges that Winston raped her.
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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun