Florida QB Treon Harris was worried about sexual assault allegations against him being on ESPN
Less than two weeks after a sexual battery complaint against Florida freshman quarterback Treon Harris was dropped, the university released nearly 200 pages of police documents pertaining to the case Wednesday. The documents include the incident report and a detective’s extensive interview with Harris hours after his accuser alerted authorities.
Throughout the interview, Harris expresses disbelief that the woman would accuse him of rape. He insisted that the two had consensual sex after the two hung out earlier in the day and saw each other that night at a club in Gainesville – the same day Harris helped the Gators beat Tennessee on Oct. 4.
Harris, confused as to why the woman would accuse him of rape, asked the detective if he would be able to speak with the woman, but the detective tells him several times that it would not be a good idea. The detective also questioned Harris about a text message he sent the woman the day after the alleged incident which said “Don’t tell nobody bout nothing.” Harris explained the detective that he sent that to her because he didn’t want another woman to find out the two had sex.
Additionally, during the interview, Harris seemed concerned that news of the allegations would come out and create headlines. He asked the detective on several occasions if the news will be “on ESPN.”
Det. J. Faroni: It’s all like right here. Okay. Well, that’s not bad. So here’s what’s going to happen, okay? Like the Lieutenant explained to you is right now your room is being sealed off. What we’re going to do is apply for a search warrant to go take anything that’s potentially evidence in this case for the allegation. Okay? So until that’s done you’re not going to be able to access your room.
Treon Harris: So is this going to be on ESPN and stuff?
Det. J. Faroni: I have no idea what’s going to happen with any of that stuff. What we’re doing is a criminal investigation. If someone comes forward to us with an allegation, we investigate it. Okay? What I can tell you is we’re really good at our job…
Treon Harris: Yeah.
Det. J. Faroni: …and I promise you that this will be resolved the way it’s supposed to be resolved.
Treon Harris: Yes, sir.
Det. J. Faroni: Okay?
Treon Harris: Okay.
37 Det. J. Faroni: So what that means is whatever happened is going to come out and it’s going to be done.
Treon Harris: Uh-huh.
Det. J. Faroni: Okay? So, it’s much better to just deal with this right now, right…
Treon Harris: So it’s going to get on ESPN.
Det. J. Faroni: …then put it off, put it off, put it off. What’s that?
Treon Harris: So you’re saying it’s going to get on ESPN?
Det. J. Faroni: I’m not even talking about ESPN anymore.
Treon Harris: Oh.
ESPN was brought up again later in the conversation – Jameis Winston, too – this time by the detective.
Det. J. Faroni: I know you were asking about ESPN and all that stuff. I have no idea. I can’t tell you if they’re going to do anything or not. I can tell you we’re going to investigate it is the best I can give you. What the media does is 100 percent out of my hands. Okay? And I think that kind of settled in a little bit for you right there, didn’t it?
Treon Harris: Yes. Because I got no (inaudible).
Det. J. Faroni: No, no, I know. That’s a big deal. The last someone wants is to go — I mean what was his name at FSU?
Treon Harris: Jameis.
Det. J. Faroni: Don’t want to go down that road, right?
Treon Harris: (Inaudible) though I can’t believe If that would’ve happened, she would’ve came in yesterday. You know what I’m saying?
Part of Harris’ confusion was why the accuser didn’t come forward the day after the incident was said to have occurred, which is what he references in the last line above. Instead, she waited an entire day.
The accuser eventually dropped her complaint on Oct. 10 and Harris was reinstated to the football team on the same day. After being held out of the LSU game on Oct. 11, Harris played last weekend against Mizzou and is expected to start the Gators’ next game against Georgia on Nov. 1.
Treon Harris interview and report by Deadspin
(H/T Deadspin)
For more Florida news, visit InsideTheGators.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
