COVINGTON, Kentucky -- While two security officers stood guard, the doors to the conference room at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Cincinnati RiverCenter were closed, marking the beginning of Ole Miss' hearing in front of the NCAA's Committee on Infractions.
The hearing, which is expected to last until Wednesday, represents the culmination of a five-year investigation into Ole Miss' football program.
Opening statements will be heard Monday morning. Once those are complete, the COI will take all of Ole Miss' 21 allegations, including 15 Level 1 alleged violations, one by one and address them in detail.
Many of the latest allegations centered around former Ole Miss recruit/current Mississippi State linebacker Leo Lewis. Lewis was not seen Monday morning. However, in a letter sent from COI chairman Greg Christopher to Lewis' attorneys, Lewis was told he would need to be in Covington today, with the caveat that the COI would work with Lewis to get him out of Kentucky and back to Starkville.
SBNation's Steven Godfrey reported Monday Lewis is expected to attend. Godfrey reported Mississippi State requested to have officials from MSU attend the hearing "as observers" to "guard the interests of one of its student-athletes who will attend the hearing." That request, Godfrey reported, was denied.
12:50 P.M. EDT Update: The hearing has dismissed for lunch. The Ole Miss Spirit's Ben Garrett, citing a source that was in the room, said the parties worked through Allegations 1-6 in the Monday morning session.
Lewis, in case you're wondering, first appears in Allegation 9.
1:08 P.M. EDT Update: A source familiar with the proceedings said the process was moving fast. However, the source said there was no way to know what the timetable is for the rest of the day/week. I know that's not much, but for now, it's where we are.
4:16 P.M. EDT Update: They just took a mid-afternoon break. It does not appear they're finished for the day. Matt Luke walked out of the room, went to the restroom and has since been making calls. Barney Farrar and his attorney, Bruse Loyd, huddled in the atrium of the Embassy Suites during the break.
There is still no word regarding Leo Lewis' whereabouts. People are strongly told not to speak to media about the goings-on of the COI hearing. I asked Ole Miss athletics director if Lewis was in the hearing. He said, with a smile, "You tell me."
5:53 P.M. EDT Update: It's over for the day. I have confirmed that much. Most of the parties have exited -- Freeze, Bjork, Nix, Harris. Still no sign of Leo Lewis.
5:57 P.M. EDT Update: It is indeed over. I've confirmed that with multiple parties. They'll get started early tomorrow. How private is everything? I asked Matt Luke if he could comment on how much football he was able to do today. He politely said he couldn't.
There's more transparency in a murder investigation. I'm working on a column. It'll run when it runs this week, but the people who defend this process are either stupid, naive or part of the agenda.
More later today/tonight if/when I have something. Otherwise, we'll be back to the watch tomorrow morning.
