Settlement was discussed in Jameis Winston assault case

There were discussions of a settlement earlier this year between representatives for Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston and the woman who said he sexually assaulted her.

Attorneys for both sides strongly disagree, however, on the details of the talks and who initiated them.

David Cornwell, an attorney who advises the Winston family, said in a Sept. 23 letter to Florida State obtained by the Associated Press that the woman’s former lawyer Patricia Carroll demanded $7 million in February to settle her potential claim against Winston, the university and the Tallahassee Police Department.

Baine Kerr, one of the lawyers for the woman, said in a statement emailed to the AP on Wednesday that Cornwell sought the settlement. Kerr said it’s “our understanding that [a] settlement was discussed, no authorized demands were made of Mr. Winston.”

Neither Cornwell nor Florida State immediately responded to requests for comment.

The statement released by Kerr said Cornwell “leaked to TMZ a self-serving letter” that he had sent to Florida State, adding that the letter was “full of dishonest and distorted statements at a time when Mr. Winston is suffering from the negative attention of his own continuing misconduct of last week.”

Kerr said Cornwell threatened to sue the woman and her parents for “civil racketeering in an effort to intimidate them into staying quiet” after they declined to settle.

Driskel still Florida’s starter

After arguably the worst game of his college career, quarterback Jeff Driskel remains Florida’s starter.

At least for another game.

Coach Will Muschamp said Wednesday he’s sticking with Driskel for next week’s game at Tennessee, saying the fourth-year junior “gives us the best opportunity to win right now.”

“Jeff needs to play better. He understands that,” Muschamp said. “He certainly forced some things that we can’t afford to do.”

Driskel completed nine of 28 passes for 93 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions, in a 42-21 loss at Alabama on Saturday. He was particularly ineffective on deep passes, misfiring on 14 of 16 throws that went at least 10 yards. It was the sixth time in his last seven starts that Driskel failed to play turnover-free football. The Gators went 4-3 in those games.