American football quarterback Johnny Manziel faces an assault charge following the allegations that he assaulted his former girlfriend. The lawyer representing the former National Football League player was informed by the prosecutors on Monday.
A grand jury in Texas accepted the motion to charge the ex-Cleveland Browns quarterback, Johnny Manziel, to a misdemeanor assault charge for family violence, BBC News reported. Manziel and his ex-girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, were arguing at a hotel in Dallas when allegedly hit her before driving back to Crowley's Fort Worth.
Manziel faces up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine if convicted. His lawyer, Attorney Robert Hinton, is expecting a judge to set a bond soon after Tuesday's indictment and that Manziel would then present himself for booking.
On the police reports of the alleged domestic violence in January, Crowley stated she tried to flee from Manziel's car by jumping out. She also asked a valet for help, however, the valet ignored her. Fox Sports reported that the former couple had an "out-of-settlement" and Crowley was granted a protection order, which will kept Manziel from seeing her for two years.
The former quarterback was cut out of Cleveland Browns, dropped by two agents and no longer has endorsements. He could also receive a suspension from National Football League. Dallas authorities initially stated that he would not be charge in February; however, they later on referred his case to a Texas Grand jury, Sports News reported.
According to Kathy Kinser, Crowley's representing lawyer, her client suffered injuries from being hit on the side of her face which caused a ruptured eardrum. She added that Crowley lost her sense of hearing. Aside from her protective order, a judge also ordered Manziel to pay $12,000 in legal fees.
He is also under the investigation of NFL over the alleged violations in personal conduct policy. Despite his success in playing football, he has struggled with substance abuse.
