On March 2, the family of Joe Pal, a 23-year-old OU rugby player who died near Campus Corner a year prior, filed a civil lawsuit against the city of Norman, local businesses and three individuals.
This post will track developments in the case.
Sideline denied dismissal
July 30: Cleveland County District Court denied Sideline Bar and Grill’s motion to dismiss.
The court also granted the city of Norman its motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ claim for punitive damages, but denied its motion to dismiss other claims.
Hooper, man who threw punch, files bankruptcy
July 15: Landen Hooper, the individual who struck Pal in the head, filed for bankruptcy.
Claims against Logie’s, The Porch dismissed
May 26: Claims against Logie’s On The Corner and The Porch were both dismissed without prejudice.
Claims against Sechrist dismissed
April 21: Claims against Landon Sechrist, one of the three individual defendants, was dismissed without prejudice April 21.
District attorney declines to file criminal charges
March 4: In an email to OU Daily, Xavier Cullens, public information officer for the Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office, wrote the district attorney’s investigation concluded with no criminal charges filed.
Lawsuit filed
March 2: Pal’s family filed a civil lawsuit against the city of Norman, local businesses and three individuals.
The defendants are James Allen Perdue, Landen Dale Hooper, Landon Dean Sechrist, the city of Norman, AgriBlades LLC and three Campus Corner bars: Logie’s on the Corner, The Porch and Sideline Bar and Grill.
According to a report obtained by the Daily, Hooper struck Pal in the head, causing him to fall back and hit his head on the ground. The lawsuit claims it took approximately 30-40 minutes for Hooper, Sechrist or Perdue to call 911.
The lawsuit alleges all three bars wrongfully served Pal alcoholic beverages while he was visibly intoxicated.
The lawsuit’s claim against the city of Norman states Norman Police Department officers’ alleged negligence of Pal exacerbated his injuries.
Death ruled as homicide
Aug. 26, 2025: According to a report obtained by OU Daily, the incident involved a white truck and was classified as a car jacking, while a second report classified the incident as assault. Pal sustained acute blunt force trauma to his head, resulting in bleeding, brain contusions and two skull fractures, according to his autopsy report. The report classified his death as a homicide.
Investigation
Aug. 18, 2025: NPD Public Information Officer Sarah Schettler wrote in an email to OU Daily the department concluded its investigation and submitted the investigative report to the Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether any further action was necessary.
“The investigation involved extensive interviews with all involved parties and witnesses, a detailed review of medical records, and a thorough examination of the circumstances and events surrounding the incident,” Schettler wrote.
Pal’s death confirmed by rugby team
March 7, 2025: OU rugby confirmed Pal’s death in an Instagram post.
“Joe, your passion, strength and spirit will never be forgotten,” the post read.
Physical altercation reported
March 2, 2025: NPD responded to a reported physical altercation at 3:47 a.m. at a parking lot in the 300 block alley between McCullough and Boyd streets, near Campus Corner, according to a police report.
Officers identified Pal, who was found unconscious.
This story was edited by Audrey McClour.
