The president of The Florida Bar took exception when an attorney said “the fix was in” after Jameis Winston was cleared of violating Florida State University’s code of conduct.
Not at the ruling, but at what he believed was unfair criticism against the man who made the decision.
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Major Harding, who has deep roots in Jacksonville, declared the evidence against the FSU quarterback was “insufficient to satisfy the burden of proof.”
Winston had been accused of violating the school’s code for sexual misconduct and endangerment.
“I don’t want to impugn the proceeding as corrupt, but I think it was biased and the fix was in,” Baine Kerr told The Associated Press. “It’s all about a football game 10 days from today. It turned out to be just a predetermined whitewash to keep a guy playing football.”
Coleman said Kerr’s comments were “too outrageous” to ignore.
The Bar president called Harding one of the most respected lawyers in the country.
“To say that he is anything but thoroughly unbiased and of the highest integrity is unacceptable,” said Coleman, who has known Harding for nearly two decades.
“His reputation and integrity are beyond question and thousands of lawyers would agree,” Coleman added in his statement.
Harding’s career as a judge began in 1968 when he was appointed a Duval County juvenile court judge. Two years later, he was appointed a 4th Judicial Circuit judge.
Gov. Lawton Chiles then named him to the Supreme Court in January 1991. He served as chief justice from July 1998-June 2000.
Harding also is a founding member of the Chester Bedell Inn of Court in Jacksonville.
“I would caution Kerr to follow his oath as an attorney to be professional and to maintain the respect due to all who are unquestionably dedicated to fairness and impartiality,” Coleman said.