Judge selected for Winston hearing

TALLAHASSEE — FSU has selected the person who will oversee Jameis Winston’s code of conduct hearing.

Major Harding, 79, will direct the discipline hearing, according to Tallahassee television station WCTV and later confirmed by the Orlando Sentinel. Harding served as chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court from 1998-2000.

Winston has been accused of four FSU code-of-conduct violations that include sexual activity without consent and creating a hostile environment. The FSU quarterback was accused of sexually assaulting a former FSU student in December 2012, but his attorneys have maintained that the interaction was consensual.

The university, which is under Title IX investigation for its handling of the Winston investigation, has faced scrutiny from federal investigators and attorneys representing Winston and his accuser. As a result, the school has turned to Harding to hear the case. He was reportedly one of three chief justices of the Florida Supreme Court that was considered to guide the hearing. Attorneys representing both Winston and the accuser each had the choice to strike one of the three options.

Winston’s attorney, David Cornwell, has repeatedly questions the conduct-review process.

He argues that he is concerned Winston’s rights to due process could be violated. A date for the hearing has not been set yet. Next game: No. 2 FSU at Louisville, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, ESPN