OAB Files Lawsuit Against City Of Norman To Obtain Video In Mixon Case

The Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters (OAB) has filed a lawsuit on behalf of News 9 and other media outlets to obtain a security video showing an assault involving OU freshman running back Joe Mixon.

Authorities said Mixon punched Amelia Molitor in the face following an argument at a Norman restaurant back in July. The physical dispute was recorded on the restaurant's surveillance video.

In September, Norman police allowed media members to view the video. It shows a 22-second exchange inside Pickleman's Restaurant where 20-year-old Amelia Molitor calls Joe Mixon over to a table where she and her friends were talking. No audio was available in the recording, but it appeared as though Mixon made a comment to Molitor's friend.

9/4/2014 Related Story: Media Members View Security Video In Mixon Assault Case

Molitor appeared angry at the comment, made a remark to Mixon, and then pushed him with two hands. Mixon could be seen lunging back at Molitor but showed restraint. Molitor then slapped him and he fired back with a punch. Molitor fell to the ground and laid there for approximately 40 seconds before stumbling to a nearby chair.

Mixon has accepted a plea deal, and now the City of Norman said it won't be releasing the video.

10/30/2014 Related Story: Joe Mixon Enters Alford Plea In Assault Case

The lawsuit was filed on Monday, November 3, to force the City of Norman to comply with Oklahoma's open records law. In the lawsuit, OAB demands that the City of Norman should make the video available to the public. It should be made available to media without altering or destroying it. 

Read the complete lawsuit here.

The lawsuit was filed after several media outlets requested a copy of the video and were denied.

11/3/2014 Related Story: OAB Filing Lawsuit To Obtain Surveillance Video

The OAB demands the video to be physically handed over to the media.

Assistant City Attorney Rick Knighton released this statement to News 9 Monday:

“The surveillance video obtained from Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe is no longer needed for the prosecution and may be returned to its owner.

The owner of Pickleman's said he destroyed his copy of the Mixon tape.