Ruh' Roh' Rebels...

[blacklistedbully]

D Mr. Pitts take everything off twitter and facebook... Looks like he was either getting some bad info or fishing for bites...

Hmm, there was a "jimbo352" on Rivals a couple years ago. Rebel fan, though an unusually decent and grounded one. You the same guy?

[Coach34]

D Mr. Pitts take everything off twitter and facebook... Looks like he was either getting some bad info or fishing for bites...

Or he was warned he could be shut out from covering OM

[Pollodawg]

I wonder how long before this whole thing "blows over."

[engie]

The chances of it "blowing over" were greatly diminished when charges were actually filed...

[jimbo352]

Or he was warned he could be shut out from covering OM

I didn't know he covered Ole Miss... Would be pretty shady if this is true...

[engie]

He's the sports editor for the NEMS Daily Journal and a clear Ole Miss fan...if you have followed him on twitter for any length of time...

[jimbo352]

Hmm, there was a "jimbo352" on Rivals a couple years ago. Rebel fan, though an unusually decent and grounded one. You the same guy?

Never been a member of Rivals, certainly never been an OM fan. I find it odd someone would have the same nickname as me. My son's birthday combined with my nickname is petty unique.

[smootness]

Reality says you are not correct. Your cockamamie story is exactly what I think does not happen. Black helicopter shit.

If they tried to cover that up there would be FBI all over the f*cking place down there. Winston never even got CHARGED. Bobby Hill is already in the jail cell. There's something to that story.

The fact is that the accuser went to police that night in the Winston case. The accuser claims the police told her to think it over and figure out if she wanted to go through with it and let her know what would happen if she did. I see no reason for her to make that up since, again, she definitely did go to the police the night it happened.

She also later decided she did not want to go through and press charges; but by that time, people had gotten wind of it so they had to investigate it.

Tell me, though, when is it 'obvious' that a person has been raped? Generally, there is evidence that something happened between the two individuals (and in this case there was) but unless there are clear signs of some type of battery, it's always a difficult case to prove. It generally relies on witnesses...well, again, regardless of what you think about the way the police handled it, it is a fact that Winston and his attorneys were alerted in February so they had plenty of time to prepare witnesses, and once witnesses claimed it was consensual, the case was a lost cause.

So even if you think everyone's intentions were great, the bottom line is that you absolutely can not say that the reason Winston got off was because the accuser was not trustworthy or was 'crying rape'.

[Johnson85]

And if this had happened at State there would be some state fans to go appey over it as well. It is a sad state of affairs. We do have to remember there is another side to the story that we have not heard.

Depends. If it was the typical situation where it's hard to tell whether it was a drunken hook up or rape, she would have a hard time at any SEC school.

If it's a situation where she was more or less sober, went to the police within 24 hours, and had either supporting witnesses or physical trauma consistent with forced rape, she'll probably be treated fine.

[Coach34]

Tell me, though, when is it 'obvious' that a person has been raped? Generally, there is evidence that something happened between the two individuals (and in this case there was) but unless there are clear signs of some type of battery, it's always a difficult case to prove. It generally relies on witnesses...well, again, regardless of what you think about the way the police handled it, it is a fact that Winston and his attorneys were alerted in February so they had plenty of time to prepare witnesses, and once witnesses claimed it was consensual, the case was a lost cause.

So even if you think everyone's intentions were great, the bottom line is that you absolutely can not say that the reason Winston got off was because the accuser was not trustworthy or was 'crying rape'.

She had as many holes in her story as a golf course

As to the witnesses, did you ever think that instead of being coached by Winston's attorney that they just simply told the truth? You insinuate that many rape cases rely on witnesses- but most times- there are none. People arent being raped in Times Square, sex whether forced or consensual is usually in a secluded place where nobody can see.

[smootness]

She had as many holes in her story as a golf course

As to the witnesses, did you ever think that instead of being coached by Winston's attorney that they just simply told the truth? You insinuate that many rape cases rely on witnesses- but most times- there are none. People arent being raped in Times Square, sex whether forced or consensual is usually in a secluded place where nobody can see.

And that is the reason that a small percentage of the accusations lead to convictions. I'm not telling you that the witnesses definitely lied or that the fact that Winston knew in February proves he's guilty. I'm just saying that the claim that it likely didn't go forward because it didn't happen isn't necessarily true. He definitely had time to prepare witnesses, and any attorney will tell you that is invaluable for someone's defense. Had Winston been arrested that night, or had he at least not been told prior to the investigation beginning, the case would have been much more fair, in regard to giving each side the same amount of chance to prove their innocence/guilt.

It seems that she was intoxicated that night, though there are conflicting reports, which definitely makes her case more difficult, though it doesn't mean it didn't happen.

My only point is that claiming that Winston didn't rape her because they didn't end up charging him is asinine. It very well could have happened; the facts, as we know them (that she reported it immediately, that an investigation didn't begin immediately, and that Winston and his attorney found out in February while the accuser was continually told they didn't know and the investigation didn't start until much later) don't paint a great picture of Tallahassee police.

ETA: Goat can say all he wants that it must have been handled fairly because, after all, they're police, is kind of strange since there are all kinds of stories of police mishandling things and covering things up...doesn't mean it happened here but the storyline as we know it definitely doesn't make me immediately think that it's crazy to question them.

[msstate7]

Depends. If it was the typical situation where it's hard to tell whether it was a drunken hook up or rape, she would have a hard time at any SEC school.

If it's a situation where she was more or less sober, went to the police within 24 hours, and had either supporting witnesses or physical trauma consistent with forced rape, she'll probably be treated fine.

Even if we were on the verge of a bcs title like fsu and the player was our star? I'd like to think you're right, but I have my doubts

[maroonmania]

We need Veazey to get on this. He'll stir the pot and find out the details.

Don't worry, Talty is already all over it I'm sure.

[RougeDawg]

Personally, I don't see our current roster of players being at a high risk for events like this to happen to them. We have a different culture amongst our team these days. Almost like a boot camp type mentality and discipline.

However, I am extremely surprised that a player under Lord Hugh's watch would commit such acts. After all, he has the holiest of holy football programs where he creates a family like atmosphere for all young recruits to join and change themselves.

I wonder how long that dipshit can continue to sell this BS to recruits? Are people really that ****ing stupid A) to believe him as a recruit of family or B) as a media member or NCAA that this is actually the way they recruit? The entire pitch and operation smells like shit.

[Coach34]

And that is the reason that a small percentage of the accusations lead to convictions. I'm not telling you that the witnesses definitely lied or that the fact that Winston knew in February proves he's guilty. I'm just saying that the claim that it likely didn't go forward because it didn't happen isn't necessarily true. He definitely had time to prepare witnesses, and any attorney will tell you that is invaluable for someone's defense. Had Winston been arrested that night, or had he at least not been told prior to the investigation beginning, the case would have been much more fair, in regard to giving each side the same amount of chance to prove their innocence/guilt.

It seems that she was intoxicated that night, though there are conflicting reports, which definitely makes her case more difficult, though it doesn't mean it didn't happen.

My only point is that claiming that Winston didn't rape her because they didn't end up charging him is asinine. It very well could have happened; the facts, as we know them (that she reported it immediately, that an investigation didn't begin immediately, and that Winston and his attorney found out in February while the accuser was continually told they didn't know and the investigation didn't start until much later) don't paint a great picture of Tallahassee police.

ETA: Goat can say all he wants that it must have been handled fairly because, after all, they're police, is kind of strange since there are all kinds of stories of police mishandling things and covering things up...doesn't mean it happened here but the storyline as we know it definitely doesn't make me immediately think that it's crazy to question them.

There are just so many factors that come into play unless a woman is really beat up- that you just really dont know. So any rush to guilty or innocent is futile...but I do agree with Goat in that an arrest vs no arrest is a big difference. An arrest implies some provable evidence- while no arrest means there are alot of questions still

[Tbonewannabe]

Pitts needs to push the issue. If this was Matt Stevens, he would already have collected a sperm sample and gotten fingerprints from the house.

Matt Stevens would probably gotten a sample directly from the source. I could imagine him having his knee pads ready at all times to get the goods on MSU.

[Tbonewannabe]

I read an article by an attorney that has represented both sides. That case was doomed just by the way the investigator handled the case before the case came to light. Winston wasn't even interviewed. It is possible she was just using what happened for a payday but it is just as likely that Winston raped her.

[chef dixon]

Guys, its all good, they rape out of love for one another.

[Johnson85]

Even if we were on the verge of a bcs title like fsu and the player was our star? I'd like to think you're right, but I have my doubts

I don't have any doubts. We'll never find out because there are very few rapes where it is clear what happened. Basically only the rapists that is really just out of control and not planning anything at all is going to be in that situation. Most of these situations are likely to involve two people that are acquaintances and often there was undisputed consensual activities before the alleged rape, and in the college setting, usually there will be alcohol involved. When there's not alcohol involved, the accuser will usually have significant credibility problems because of past actions, either because she is not credible and is lying or because a rapist that is soberly planning on raping somebody and relying on a he said/she said defense is going to shy away from victims that would be highly credible.

But if there was the rare case where the accuser was sober at the time, quickly reported the incident, and had some sort of corraborating evidence, either a witness or physical trauma, I don't think you'd have people trying to defend the player or attack the accuser. But again, when was the last time you heard of a rape case like that? They happen, but not very often.

[sbcmortgageman]

He's the sports editor for the NEMS Daily Journal and a clear Ole Miss fan...if you have followed him on twitter for any length of time...

I may be wrong but I think he's a MTSU alum.