UPDATE: The female student who accused Treon Harris of sexual battery has withdrawn her complaint, Harris' lawyer Huntley Johnson confirmed Friday.
In a three-page statement released Thursday morning, Treon Harris’ Gainesville-based attorney Huntley Johnson aimed to clarify details surrounding his client’s sexual battery investigation, as well as give his client’s side of the story backed by witness testimony.
Johnson confirmed that Harris is on interim University suspension and had to appeal in order to be able to take his online classes.
He is not allowed on campus at this time.
Part of Johnson’s claim is to dispel the idea that the alleged victim did not know Harris prior to the night of Oct. 5.
"Our client and the alleged victim knew each other to the extent that they had each other’s cellphone numbers and had previously spent time together of their own accord for the purpose of socializing together," the statement reads.
The statement also refutes earlier information told to the Alligator by a source that the alleged interaction took place in Harris’ room. Johnson said in the statement that Harris had never been inside the alleged victim’s room.
According to the statement, the alleged victim initiated things by sending Harris text messages while he was still in the locker room in Knoxville, Tennessee, following Florida’s 10-9 victory. When the team arrived in Gainesville, the contact continued between the two.
Per the statement, a third individual gave police testimony that he had sex with the alleged victim less than an hour before alleged sexual conduct with the client took place, that the alleged victim was actually the aggressor in that interaction and the investigation produced no evidence that the alleged victim was impaired.
The statement said Harris’ camp has provided police with six witnesses including multiple that say Harris and the alleged victim were smiling and holding hands when they returned to the Spring Residential Complex. They were dropped off by another female student who is the alleged victim’s friend.
"We have previously indicated that we do not believe that Mr. Harris will be arrested or prosecuted," the statement said. "That is because of our experience and the facts of this case. He is not guilty of a crime and he did not mistreat this young lady in any way that night."
Follow Richard Johnson on Twitter @RagjUF
Treon Harris takes a snap during practice on Aug. 14 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Harris was named Florida's backup quarterback on Tuesday.
