Appeals court rules Joe Mixon assault video is a ‘public record’

What could potentially be a public relations nightmare for the University of Oklahoma and its football program is looming larger out on the horizon.

Monday afternoon, the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals ruled that security video showing OU running back Joe Mixon punching a female student in 2014 is a public record and should be released. The City of Norman had previously refused to release the video, prompting several media outlets in the area to file suit in an attempt to get it released.

From KFOR.com:

Since the video was shown in court, the video must be considered court record, meaning any member of the public should have access to the video for inspection or copying purposes.

That said, the decision of the appeals court will likely be appealed, meaning the release of the video is not imminent. There’s also a question of whether or not a copy of the tape still exists.

Court now saying they don’t have a copy of the Mixon tape. It was played in court and was supposed to be preserved.

— Phil Cross (@philsnews) February 22, 2016

In mid-August of 2014, Mixon, a five-star recruit that year, was suspended by Oklahoma for the entire 2014 season, a punitive measure that meant the running back would be excluded from any and all team activities. The one-year suspension came about after Mixon was accused of punching a woman in a late-July confrontation, breaking four bones in her face and leaving her unconscious. Media covering OU viewed a copy of the security tape that caught the exchange, including the knockout punch, between the woman and Mixon; Mixon’s attorney had previously claimed the altercation was preceded by racial slurs.

The OU hierarchy, including president David Boren, athletic director Joe Castiglione and head football coach Bob Stoops, viewed a copy of the video prior to suspending Mixon.

In late October of 2014, a plea deal was reached in the case that helped Mixon avoid a trial. As part of that deal, Mixon was given a one-year deferred sentence, 100 hours of community service and will be required to attend cognitive behavior counseling.

Mixon was welcomed back to the Sooners in February of last year and greatly aided OU’s run to a spot in the College Football Playoffs, finishing second on the team in rushing yards (753) and rushing touchdowns (seven). His 6.7 yards per carry led the team, and he added 28 receptions for 356 yards and four touchdowns for good measure.