Judge: Joe Mixon tape will not be publicly released
A Cleveland County judge ruled Thursday that the surveillance video of Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon punching a woman in the summer of 2014 will remain in the custody of the city of Norman and won't be released to the public.
Dist judge rules Mixon video not part of court record, and video will remain in custody of city attorney's office. No release.
— Guerin Emig (@GuerinEmig) February 25, 2016
Judge Thad Balkman's ruling counters an appeals court ruling from earlier in the week that said the video should be public record. Mixon, who was suspended from the team for the entire 2014 season, was charged with a misdemeanor and reached a plea deal in the case.
When he was asked about the incident at Orange Bowl media day, Mixon deflected all questions.
According to media members who viewed the tape in September 2014 through an open records request, Mixon punches the woman with his right fist and her face hits the edge of a table as she falls down from the hit. The city had refused to publicly release the video, which came from surveillance footage at a Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe where the incident took place. The appeals court ruling said the tape, shown in court, was part of court record.
Those who are fans of conspiracy theories will undoubtedly note that Balkman's LinkedIn profile shows that he got his law degree from Oklahoma. He had previously ruled that the media viewing of the tape was sufficient public release.
Mixon, a five-star recruit in the class of 2014, was reinstated to the team before spring practice in 2015 and ran for 753 yards and seven touchdowns.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
