Tunsil, stepfather agree to drop domestic violence charges

OXFORD – Domestic violence charges against both Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil and his stepfather are likely to be dropped on Monday.

Tunsil's attorney, Steven Farese, told The Clarion-Ledger on Friday that both attorneys mutually agreed to have their clients sign dismissal forms earlier in the week. Those forms are currently with the Lafayette County Justice Court's clerk, officials said, and will be reviewed to be signed by Judge Johnny McLarty on Monday.

Farese said he sees no reason why the matter will not be settled then.

Matthew Wilson, the attorney representing Tunsil's stepfather, Lindsey Miller, confirmed that both parties agreed to drop the charges. Both Wilson and Farese declined further comment.

Miller and Tunsil originally pressed charges against each other following an incident that occurred in late June.

Tunsil alleged that he assaulted his stepfather after Miller pushed his mother, Desiree Tunsil. But according to an incident report by the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office, Miller claimed the altercation was a result of his warning to Tunsil about having contact with agents.

Miller pleaded not guilty through his attorney nearly two weeks ago. Tunsil's arraignment was scheduled for Monday.

Justice Court Judge Mickey Avent dismissed a protective order Miller levied against Tunsil during the case's only court hearing on July 14, which also presented Farese with an opportunity to combat Miller's claims that Tunsil accepted a ride from an agent the night of the fight, which would be an NCAA violation.

Farese admitted there was an agent present, but said Tunsil left in a rental car driven by a friend named "Zo," who flew from South Carolina to Memphis and rented the car to drive to Oxford.

Per NCAA rules, Tunsil is allowed to speak with certified NFL agents as long as he doesn't accept any impermissible benefits or sign.

NCAA officials traveled to Mississippi to speak with Miller, who claims he's aware of multiple rules violations committed by the football program that date all the way back to Tunsil's recruitment, just days after the incident occurred.

The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Tunsil is one of the nation's top offensive linemen and is a likely top five pick in next year's NFL draft. ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. projected Tunsil as the second overall selection in his first "big board" for 2016.

Contact Riley Blevins at rblevins@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @Riley_Blevins on Twitter.