OU's Joe Mixon Misdemeanor Trial Delayed

Court officials said University of Oklahoma freshman running back Joe Mixon will not go to trial on time.

Friday, October 24th 2014, 5:24 pm

By: News 9

OU's Joe Mixon Misdemeanor Trial Delayed

A new trial date was set for freshman OU running back Joe Mixon following an off campus assault.

Mixon's attorney said the case is not ready for trial next week. But, for nearly an hour, the judge and the attorneys talked about the upcoming release of the surveillance video.

Judge Steve Stice has scheduled a hearing for next Friday with Norman city officials to talk specifically about that surveillance video.

By law, it will be made available to the public Nov. 1. But, Judge Stice and attorneys on both sides of the case said they fear the release will jeopardize the trial.

The trial hearing lasted for about an hour Friday afternoon. Joe Mixon, alongside his attorney and a state prosecutor, spent a lot of time trying to find a new trial date.

10/20/2014 Related Story: OU's Joe Mixon Trial Could Be Delayed

Thirteen of the witnesses are student athletes which made scheduling an issue.

But, a bigger concern Friday was the fact that in less than seven days, surveillance video showing the assault inside Pickleman's Gourmet Café on Campus Corner, will be made available for everyone to see.

“She pushed him, she slapped him before he ever got physical,” said News 9's Lisa Monahan.

Last month, two of our own at News 9 were able to go to a room with Norman police and view that video. The two-and-a half minute clip clearly showed Mixon throwing a powerful right hook, knocking out OU junior Amelia Molitor for at least 40 seconds.

“It all happened in a matter of seconds, and as soon as she slapped him, I think it was just his reaction,” said Monahan. “He just punched right back, and she fell to the ground.”

Mixon was charged with a misdemeanor and suspended for the entire football season.

Judge Stice said he plans to do everything in his power to keep that video from being released before the trial. He said he's very concerned about a fair trial, and the release of the video is, "detrimental to the justice system."

The Mixon trial will begin Jan. 12 at 9 a.m. at the Cleveland County Courthouse.

A pool of 54 jurors will be called in. That number will eventually be whittled down to six jurors and two alternates to hear the misdemeanor case.

Amelia Molitor was not charged.

8/15/2014 Related Story: OU's Joe Mixon To Be Charged With Misdemeanor