Ex-OU player wins battle to clear name "People assume things because of my past and I've been in trouble before. I knew I was right on this one. I knew I had to stand up.” Ex-OU player wins battle to clear name
Former University of Oklahoma quarterback Charles Thompson has tried to atone for the crimes of his past, but he had no intention of giving in when he believed he was wrongly convicted of public intoxication.
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Thompson, who was arrested at the height of his college football career at OU for dealing cocaine, recently won the battle to clear his name in a public intoxication case when the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals unanimously reversed his conviction and threw out a $69 fine, citing a lack of evidence.
"A lot of people thought it was a small matter in terms of a fine, but it was a big matter in terms of my reputation,” Thompson said. "I never should have been arrested.”
Thompson was arrested Nov. 18, 2006, after police went to the Residence Inn, 4361 W Reno, where hotel managers claimed they had received multiple noise complaints.
Police said Thompson was belligerent and smelled of alcohol. After arguing with police for several minutes, he stepped out of his room and was arrested.
Thompson and a group of parents were at the hotel making banners for a youth football game. Thompson runs a youth football league. He said he argued with officers because they told him he and his group had to leave the hotel.
At trial in January 2007, five witnesses testified there was no alcohol in the room and that Thompson had not been drinking. But a city judge believed the officers and found Thompson guilty. He was fined $69.
Thompson appealed the case, saying he wanted to clear his name.
The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals unanimously reversed the city court's decision. An opinion written by Judge David B. Lewis said the evidence in the case did not support a conviction because the city failed to prove Thompson was drunk in a public place.
Thompson said he feels vindicated by the decision.
Oklahoma City officials declined to comment.
Thompson thanked his attorney, Mike Johnson, who said he waived legal fees to challenge the case because Thompson is a friend.
Thompson was arrested while at OU after selling cocaine to an undercover FBI agent. His picture ran on the cover of Sports Illustrated and was the symbol of an OU football program that many saw as out of control. He pleaded guilty in April of 1989 on the cocaine charge.
Thompson has since tried to clean up his image. He frequently speaks to school and youth groups, encouraging kids not to follow his path, and works with several religious groups and organizations dedicated to children.
Protecting that message is one of the reasons Thompson said he chose to fight the public intoxication arrest.
"People assume things because of my past and I've been in trouble before,” Thompson said. "I knew I was right on this one. I knew I had to stand up.”
Hey morons, the judge found that the city was not able to prove that he was "drunk in public". He was still drunk. And for the "there was not alcohol in the room" defense, pleeeeeeeeease. Like that has anything to do with the blood in his system. All those witnesses can testilie to is that fact that they did not see him drink, not "he did not drink." By the way, it's not the job of cops to be your friends and hold you when you do something bad, they take you to jail. And as for Thompson wanting to clear his name, he better start by not putting yourself in these positions by not becoming intoxicated. Hey Thompson, you mean to tell me that those cops rolled up and said, "Wowsers, it's Charles Thompson. The same guy that squandered all of his talent on crack about 20 years ago. Can I have your autograph?" They must have been so impressed to meet a never was.
Right Tony. Judges are well known for giving convicted felons a break.Did you and Louis have a child and his name is Kenny? K-E-N-N-Y Don't hit the submit key so many times. Then you we won't look at your drivel three straight times. It's a web page not a slot machine Sniffy.
It's not about guilt or innocence in most cases in our courts. It's about who your lawyer is and how good he/she is, OR it's about who the judge is. Where's Thompson from? Lawton Where's Judge David Lewis from? Lawton
I agree with John of OKC: The police are NOT your friend. They make the arrest, and then make up whatever they need to say to get a conviction. I grew up in OK, naive and innocent about such things, but when I was about 30 was stopped for DUI in CA (wasn't drinking, but falling asleep at the wheel, which is just a dangerous, actually). You should have read the police report! It was all "boilerplate" stuff that probably goes on 99% of all DUI stops. Lucky for me, the breathalyzer completely cleared me and I didn't even wind up with a ticket! Cops were too stupid or arrogant to bother even writing me up for unsafe lane change, or reckless driving. One good thing came out if it...that was almost 40 years ago and I've NEVER even gotten drowsy behind the wheel since...
The police did a poor job. There was no alcohol in the room and there were five parents as witnesses that Thompson had not been drinking. Was Thompson arrested because he had a familiar face? Maybe. Because of Thompson's past he must show more restraint than most and definitely have better manners with the police!
I have had the experience of dealing with the polices who operate at about a sixth grader mentality and don't think for one instant that the DA and judges and juries are any smarter. Once a policeman makes a decision then you are all but convicted.
This is the bigger story. Have we forgotten about Macy and Gilchrist?
My advice is to just stay away from the police and NEVER try to reason or talk to them. You will very likely find yourself spending a lot of money defending yourself. This may impair the police ability to solve crimes but it serves a bigger purpose in that maybe innocent people won't be sent to jail or prison. Until the police shape up and stop hiding behind the "blue code" then this is all we have left.
There are way too many fools posting. "Sooner cheating the system" and "Cornett fixed it for him". Two very, very ignorant comments. Those people only WISH they had half the guts that Charles does in the way he's turned his life around. Screw all you haters. Get a life and make a difference, like he's doing.
He cleared his name because , the city was wrong and the courts knew it. Thompson has done wonderful things for the youth. What have you critics done for your community. Nuff said!!!!!!
I guess Mick Cornett did fix it for him!!! Remember Charles Thompson was screaming "Don't you know who I am? I know Mick Cornett, talk to Mick Cornett, he'll fix this for good". Thompson may have gotten off on the PI charge but he cannot take back what he said. I guess he really hasn't changed and still feels he is owed something.
Yes, Adam, I am sure Judge David B. Lewis is a OU grad and would risk his reputation and position for a $69 public intoxication case. Makes sense to you and nobody else. You are a real visionary there, David. Oh, by the way, the pharmacy called and your medication is ready.
How is this an example of a Sooner cheating the system? I guess I read a different article because the one I read talked of a man using his rights of appeal to challenge a wrongful conviction. I guess Adam is one of those pessimists who thinks people cannot change.
Adam, get a life. Do you think he is another OJ? Or are you just another hater that thinks no one can turn his life around. Maybe you should contact him and take some pointers on geatting a new life.
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And why can't any story related to any OU or OSU player or former player not immediately invoke the Sutton or Switzer name. GET A LIFE
This is the bigger story. Have we forgotten about Macy and Gilchrist?
My advice is to just stay away from the police and NEVER try to reason or talk to them. You will very likely find yourself spending a lot of money defending yourself. This may impair the police ability to solve crimes but it serves a bigger purpose in that maybe innocent people won't be sent to jail or prison. Until the police shape up and stop hiding behind the "blue code" then this is all we have left.