Johnny Manziel Reaches Conditional Dismissal Deal Of Domestic Violence Case

Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has reached a deal with prosecutors for the conditional dismissal of a domestic assault case involving his former girlfriend.

Johnny Manziel Reaches Conditional Dismissal Deal Of Domestic Violence Case

Defense attorney Jim Darnell stated there was still work to be done, but that he was encouraged following a Thursday morning hearing. A judge set another hearing for Dec. 1, when the case could be settled.

“That’s all in progress,” Darnell said regarding the conditions of any agreement. “Until we get something done, if we do, then we’ll announce it.”

Manziel, a former Heisman Trophy winner, is accused of threatening and hitting former girlfriend Colleen Crowley during a night out in January. The misdemeanor charges carries a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

Brittany Dunn, a spokeswoman for Dallas county prosecutors, said she couldn’t comment because the case is still pending.

Manziel, who will turn 24 next month, left the courtroom on Thursday without responding to questions. He talked on his phone, walking ahead of reporters and cameramen, and then rapidly got into a car driven by Darnell.

“He’s doing OK,” Darnell said. “Tough kid.”

“Everybody will be required to be here,” Judge Roberto Canas said, referring to the next court date. “Then we will get this case down the road.”

A spokeswoman for Dallas County prosecutors didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The domestic assault charge is just one of Manziel’s several legal issues. He also faces a lawsuit for his alleged involvement in the trashing of a Los Angeles rental home, and Darnell has said he has spoken to the attorney representing a car company that lent a car to the QB and friends. The car was totaled in an accident in April.

The Browns selected Manziel with the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 draft. The team waived him in March following two tumultuous seasons plagued by scandals and inconsistent playing on the field. Manziel also gained a reputation as an intense partier and drinker, behavior that led him to enter rehab. He has been dumped by two agents after both demanded a second trip to rehab for the QB.

Although he’s an unsigned free agent, Manziel served a four-game suspension this season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. League spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed the domestic case remains under review.

Manziel could face NFL discipline regardless of the legal resolution, if he signs with a team. The baseline for domestic violence cases is a six-game suspension.

Crowley alleged Manziel accosted her at a Dallas hotel, and that the confrontation continued downstairs to the valet station. She claimed he forced her into a car and a valet ignored her pleas for help.

The pair eventually drove to where her car was parked in front of a Dallas bar, she said in an affidavit. Crowley said Manziel began to drive, and that he stopped when she attempted to jump out of the car, but then he dragged her back inside and hit her.

In two seasons with the Browns, Manziel played in 15 games with eight starts. Cleveland was 2-6 in those starts. Manziel has completed 147 of 258 passes (57 percent) with seven touchdowns, seven interceptions and a career passer rating of 74.4. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2012 while playing for Texas A&M.

Caption:KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 27: Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns avoids the tackle of Ron Parker #38 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium during the fourth quarter of the game on December 27, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)