Jameis Winston decision likely to come after Heisman voting deadline

A decision on whether or not Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston will be charged with sexual assault probably won’t come for another two weeks, according to the state attorney’s office investigating the case.

That means the decision is likely to come after the ACC Championship game on Dec. 7 and the Dec. 9 deadline for Heisman Trophy votes.

Winston, a redshirt freshman, has led the Seminoles to an 11-0 record and possible BCS championship berth. He also leads the country in passer rating (194.5) and has been considered the leading candidate for the Heisman.

Florida State has a policy of suspending athletes charged with felonies, but if prosecutors make no decision before the conference title game then Winston will be eligible to play.

And it doesn’t sound like Heisman voters will know the legal status of one of the top players in the country until after their votes are due.

Obviously, none of that matters to State Attorney William “Willie” Meggs, whose office is busy with other cases as well, including the investigation of a capital crime.

“Believe it or not, we have other cases we’re involved with,” Meggs told ESPN.com. “We haven’t shut down our office to focus entirely on this case.”

He added: “We’re waiting on some things, and we still have some loose ends to tie up.”

Georgia Cappleman, chief assistant state’s attorney for Leon County, told CBSSports.com on Tuesday that some evidence has yet to arrive.

Winston is under investigation for a alleged sexual assault of a woman last Dec. 7. His attorney has said the quarterback and the woman had consensual sex.

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