Video of Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon punching student is released

NORMAN, Okla. – University of Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon’s attorneys have released copies of the surveillance videos depicting Mixon punching OU student Amelia Molitor in 2014.

WARNING: The videos depicts a violent incident. Viewer discretion is advised.

According to a statement released by Mixon’s attorney, J. Blake Johnson, Mixon asked that the video be released.

“Ms. Molitor’s attorneys apparently obtained both recordings from the Cleveland County District Attorney’s office two years ago,” Johnson said in a statement released Friday. “Mr. Mixon has not previously been in possession of the videos, and has never been involved in any of the legal efforts to prevent access to them.”

A handful of anonymous NFL scouts that spoke to the Norman Transcript say they believe Mixon is likely a high-round pick. However, all said the impact of the video would weigh heavily on any decision to draft Mixon.

The University of Oklahoma has issued a statement regarding the video’s release.

“University officials were made aware of the content of the video prior to taking action with respect to Joe Mixon,” the statement reads. “Based on that information, the university immediately suspended and removed Mr. Mixon from the football team for one year, during which high standards of conduct were expected and maintained. It was made clear to Mr. Mixon at the time of his suspension that violence against women will not go unpunished at the university. Coach Stoops has been proactive in presenting training for his team aimed at preventing such behavior in the future. Sensitivity training in the area of violence has been intensified and best practices will continue to be implemented. Mr. Mixon has apologized for his actions and the university hopes that it is an indication that he has learned from his mistakes. We are an educational institution where we hope young people will learn from their mistakes and chart a better future course.”

Mixon entered a bargained plea maintaining his innocence but allowing the court to find him guilty of misdemeanor assault two months after the incident. He was placed on one-year probation, and required to complete 100 hours of community service and undergo cognitive behavior therapy.

He was also suspended from the football team for one season, but reinstated for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He is the Sooners’ leading running back this season, with 1,183 rushing yards.

OU President David Boren, athletic director Joe Castiglione and head coach Bob Stoops viewed the video the day Mixon was charged with assault. 

Amelia Molitor, the student who Mixon punched, has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Mixon.  She claims to have suffered several fractured facial bones. Her suit is pending in civil court.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the video of Mixon punching Molitor is a public document because it was used by the prosecutor and the trial court as evidence in deciding Mixon’s misdemeanor assault fate.

The Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office, the Norman Police Department and the City of Norman contended the video was not subject to the state’s open records law and could not be viewed by the public. Their position was affirmed by the district court.

The Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters challenged the court’s ruling, appealing to the state’s highest court on grounds that the purpose of the state’s open records law is to inform the public about what evidence led to the level of Mixon’s punishment.

Mixon issued a statement apologizing to Molitor, the football team and coaches, the fans, the university and his family.

“For the last two years,” he said, “my lawyers have advised me against speaking publicly about an incident that occurred very shortly after I arrived in Norman, Oklahoma. Today, I want to say what everyone deserves to hear from me about this matter: I am sorry.”

Mixon’s statement said he was celebrating his birthday with teammates the night of the incident, that he had not been drinking and that a “group of apparently drunk people started harassing us.”

He said the “situation got tense. Racial slurs were hurled at me. I should have left, but I did not. A woman shoved me. I was upset and I should have left, but I did not. Then, she slapped me, and I reacted poorly – I struck her. It was a bad reaction, one that does not reflect my character or my values.”

The Norman, Oklahoma, Transcript contributed details to this story.

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