Why have charges against Bengals running back Joe Mixon been dropped?
Just 24-hours after a warrant was issued for his arrest, the Bengals player has now seen the case brought against him dismissed.
Following an altercation with a woman, in which allegedly brandished a firearm, the Bengals’ running back can now rest a little easier, with the knowledge that his accuser has chosen to drop the case.
The case against Joe Mixon has been dismissed
According to an announcement on Friday, from Hamilton County Municipal Court Presiding Judge Curt Kissinger, the city of Cincinnati has dismissed the charge against Joe Mixon. The Bengals’ running back was facing an arrest warrant, which was issued on Thursday, for allegedly pointing a firearm at a woman. Kissinger’s decision to grant a request for dismissal, came after the Cincinnati Police Department made contact with the woman in question. Interestingly, though the case has been dismissed, there still stands the possibility that it could be refiled.
“We are requesting dismissal because we need additional investigation before we move forward with this case,” the prosecution said. “The Cincinnati Police Department were able to get in contact with the victim. She understands the need to dismiss this case and the potential that we could refile this at a later date. She does still want to go forward with this charge if we do decide to refile it.”
What was Joe Mixon accused of doing?
If you missed our earlier report on this situation, we can bring you up to speed. Per court documents, Mixon was charged with aggravated menacing after allegedly pointing a firearm at a woman back on January 21st, just a day before the Bengals booked their spot in the AFC Championship Game, courtesy of a win over the Buffalo Bills. As per the affidavit, Mixon stated at the time. “You should be popped in the face. I should shoot you, the police [can’t] get me.”
Subsequent to the warrant being issued, the Bengals released a statement in which they indicated there were aware of the situation. The communique was also followed by a statement from Mixon’s agent, Peter Schaffer. “It was a rush to judgment. They’re dropping the charges first thing in the morning. I really feel that police have an obligation before they file charges -- because of the damage that can be done to the person’s reputation - to do their work. They should be held to a higher standard. Because I don’t play with people’s lives.”
This isn’t the first time Joe Mixon has been in trouble
In truth, Mixon appears to have been here before. Back in 2014 during his time at Oklahoma, the running back punched a female student in the face and sent her to the hospital. Though he would later accept a plea bargain that included one year of probation, counseling and 100 hours of community service, the NFL took the decision to not invite him to its annual combine due to the incident. Indeed, though he was selected by the Bengals with the No. 48 overall pick, many believed that had it not been for the aforementioned scenario, he would have gone in the first round. In 2022, he rushed for a total of 814 yards and two touchdowns, while catch 60 passes to the tune of an additional 441 yards and two TDs. The former Pro-Bowler signed a four-year extension back in 2020.