OK Supreme Court: Mixon Tape Is Public Record, Should Be Released

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has ruled that the video of OU running back Joe Mixon punching a woman in the face at a Norman restaurant is public record and must be released.

Court documents released Tuesday show that the justices found the video was subject to be released since it was a part of the court record. Details on when and how the video would be released are not yet known. 

The ruling is a victory for the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters (OAB), who filed suit in Cleveland County in February 2015. OAB initially lost on a summary judgment by Judge Thad Balkman, who claimed Mixon was not arrested, so the tape is not a public record.  

OAB appealed that ruling and won, with the appellate court stating that Judge Balkman has “overstepped his bounds” in denying a trial. In February 2016 Balkman altered his court order to avoid it being overturned on another appeal.   

The OAB then sent the case directly to the Oklahoma Supreme Court, who ruled in May 2016 that the OAB had the right to sue for the tape.

The incident stems from an altercation Mixon had with Amelia Molitor in Pickleman’s Gourmet Café back in July 2014. Mixon was later charged with one count of An Act Resulting in Gross Injury, a misdemeanor. Mixon entered an Alford Plea in October 2014, where he accepted probation in lieu of a possible trial and jail time, but maintained his innocence.

Molitor filed suit against Mixon in July 2016 for negligence, willful and wanton misconduct and intentional infliction of emotional distress. In November 2016, an Oklahoma Court threw out the negligence and misconduct claims, but allowed the emotional distress claim to go forward. Mixon issued an apology to Molitor shortly a day later.

Mixon has totaled 1,183 yards on 168 carries this season. Oklahoma is set to play Auburn in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2. 

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