Oklahoma RB Joe Mixon Suspended Following Alleged Violent Incident

Updates from Monday, Aug. 18

The Associated Press reported on the legal situation surrounding Joe Mixon"

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Oklahoma freshman running back Joe Mixon, the school's top recruit, pleaded not guilty on Monday to a misdemeanor charge of assault.

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Mixon posted bond and is to return to court on Sept. 23.

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Following that news, Oklahoma suspended Mixon for the season (via Bryan D. Fischer of NFL.com):

Updates from Friday, Aug. 15

Guerin Emig of the Tulsa World has the latest on Joe Mixon:

ESPN's Jake Trotter noted the severity of the charge:

Oklahoma released a statement:

Updates from Thursday, Aug. 14

NewsOK.com updated the investigation into Joe Mixon:

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Norman Police are scheduled to interview the alleged victim Thursday as they continue their investigation into an incident involving Oklahoma freshman running back Joe Mixon.

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A Norman Police official said investigators were "optimistic" that the case would be turned over to Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn by the end of the week but that wasn't set in stone.

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Updates from Saturday, Aug. 2

Bob Stoops refused to comment on Joe Mixon when asked on Saturday (via George Schroeder of USA Today):

Updates from Wednesday, July 30

Joe Mixon's status with the Sooners during the ongoing investigation has been determined according to Eddie Radosevich of SoonerScoop.com:

The team's official website later issued a brief statement: 

Guerin Emig of TulsaWorld.com reported the latest in the investigation of Joe Mixon:

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The Norman Police investigation into the July 25 incident in which Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon is alleged to have punched a female OU student could continue into next week, NPD Capt. Todd Gibson confirmed to the Tulsa World Wednesday.

“We are not any closer to making an arrest,” Gibson informed in an email, “and would anticipate having documentation to the Cleveland County District Attorney sometime late next week.”

Gibson said investigators continue to talk to those involved in the incident at Pickleman’s Gourmet Café just off the OU campus, where an altercation led to 20-year-old Amelia Rae Molitor being struck in the face. She has since alleged Mixon was her assailant. Kevin Finlay, Mixon’s attorney, maintains his client “has done nothing wrong.”

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“We are looking forward to a thorough investigation,” Finlay said in a statement earlier this week, “and are very much looking forward to the truth coming out.”

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Updates from Tuesday, July 29

Erik Horne of NewsOk.com provides details from the 911 call in the alleged Joe Mixon assault:

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Some girl just got clocked in the face,” the caller said after giving the location and address.

The unidentified caller repeatedly mentioned the presence of a camera feed.

He mentions first that the woman who got hit, identified as Amelia Rae Molitor, had “stormed off” after the incident before saying she was still in the restaurant.

“She’s in the bathroom but I’m standing right here,” the caller said before someone in the background says “He knocker her ass out.”

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“I did not see the guy myself,” he said. “I was in the back when it happened. A few people did see what happened that are still here.”

The caller said Molitor was bleeding “pretty bad” from the mouth and that he thought she was intoxicated.

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Updates from Monday, July 28

Jason Kersey of The Oklahoman obtained a press release from Joe Mixon's lawyer Kevin Finlay:

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“This past Friday morning Joe Mixon found himself in a situation where he was subjected to both verbal and physical attacks from a very intoxicated and troubled young woman.  As a result of these physical attacks, Joe instinctually defended himself against further harm.

“As promised, Joe met with investigators from the Norman Police Department this afternoon. Throughout the meeting, Joe continued to be forthcoming and cooperative with their investigation.

“We are looking forward to a thorough investigation and are very much looking forward to the truth coming out.  As we have always maintained, Joe has done nothing wrong.”

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Kersey passed along the latest statement from authorities as it pertains to Mixon: 

Kersey also had more details on the altercation:

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Amelia Rae Molitor is identified as the alleged victim.

“The facts of the incident as reported to police describe an altercation … that turned physical and concluded with Molitor sustaining injuries to her face,” the release states.

According to the release, Mixon was not present when police arrived on the scene Friday morning, and that there is video evidence of the incident.

“The evidentiary value of the recording prohibits its release at this time,” the release states. “When Police Detectives conclude their investigation all pertinent documentation will be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for review.”

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Original Text

Joe Mixon's Oklahoma career is getting off to an ignominious start.

RJ Young of SoonerScoop.com reported that the 5-star running back was allegedly involved in an altercation early Friday morning at Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe in Norman with a female:

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Sources indicated Mixon was not arrested at the scene as officers wanted to study security footage of the incident before filing any charges. Police did receive footage of the incident today.

The incident report obtained by SoonerScoop contains limited information, as one or more juveniles is involved. A spokesman for OU is aware of the incident and issued the following statement:

"We are aware of the matter and it is under internal review."

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According to Charlie Hannema of News on 6 in Tulsa, Norman police plan to arrest Mixon "as soon as they can find him":

Norman PD released a statement via Eric Bailey of the Tulsa World:

Jason Kersey of the Oklahoman provides reaction from Mixon's high school coach:

Paige Hill of kfor.com provides more details on the police's search for Mixon. 

Kevin Finlay, Mixon's attorney, spoke with The Oklahoman about his client's status.

"We are cooperating, fully, with the police on this," said Finlay. "Joe is definitely looking forward to the truth coming out … that’s about all I can say at this time."

He also clarified that Mixon isn't actively avoiding the police but is instead working with the authorities in Norman, via Martina Del Bonta of Fox 23 in Tulsa:

Andrew Knittle of The Oklahoman spoke with the alleged victim: 

She added via Knittle: “He punched me one time. He broke my face in four places … my nose, my sinuses … they’re broken.”

The Oklahoman gained access to the police report, which stated that the female victim had "apparent broken bones."

"A female was hit in the face by a male subject—(the subject) is gone—she is in the bathroom," the report added. "She is (conscious) and she is intoxicated …. She is bleeding from the mouth … no difficulty breathing."

Mixon was a highly regarded recruit coming out of Freedom High School in Oakley, California. According to 247Sports' composite ranking, he was the fourth-best all-purpose back in the class of 2014 and 21st-ranked player overall.

His arrival at Oklahoma was met with plenty of promise and major expectations from Sooners fans. However, since Mixon has stepped foot on campus, things haven't gone according to plan.

ESPN.com's Travis Haney reported that he was finding life in Norman difficult, though:

Since this is a developing situation, it would be unfair to jump to any major conclusions until all of the information regarding the incident comes to light.

At the very least, the Sooners football program has a major mess on its hands.