The domestic violence case of the Cleveland Browns football quarterback player, Johnny Manziel has been referred by the Dallas police to a grand jury, the authorities announced on Thursday. The grand jury will decide whether to charge Manziel over the allegations of beating his former girlfriend.
The office of Dallas County Attorney was asked by the authorities to present a "misdemeanor domestic violence case to the local grand jury", according to the Guardian. If convicted to the said charges, Manziel will be sentenced with the maximum punishment of one year in jail as well as a $4,000 fine.
Bradley Beckworth, Manziel's defense lawyer declined to comment on Thursday, regarding the case. His agency also reportedly, they dropped Manziel, while Cleveland Browns said they will released him on March. CBS Sports reported, Colleen Crowley, his former girlfiend, accused Manziel of hitting her and threatening to kill her during a night out on January 30.
Dallas authorities had been investigating Manziel's case since February 5. Crowley's lawyer alleges the football player "ruptured Crowley's eardrum" during the argument. The 23 year old former Heisman Trophy winner was also investigated for kidnapping and threatening to kill his 23-year-old former girlfriend, Yahoo News reported. Dallas Police also said they will refrain from disclosing further details on the case.
It was reported, Manziel confronted Crowley at a Dallas hotel and later struck her when they drove back to her apartment in Fort Worth. Crowley also stated that he forced her into a car and a valet refused to help her. The two eventually drove to where her car was parked in front of a Dallas bar, according to her affidavit. She accused Manziel of getting into the driver's seat and beginning to drive her. Manziled on other hand denied the allegations.
Johnny Manziel, who entered the NFL with a reputation for partying and drinking, spent 73 days last winter in a Pennsylvania treatment center specializing in care for alcohol and drug dependency.