Johnny Manziel Pays Dallas County Bond, Appears in Court Thursday
The Heisman winner could face jail time if convicted
By Frank Heinz ••
NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel appeared in a Dallas courtroom for the first time Thursday after his indictment in a domestic violence case involving an ex-girlfriend.
Former Texas A&M and Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel made his first court appearance in Dallas on Thursday after his indictment in a domestic violence case involving an ex-girlfriend.
Manziel, who is from Kerrville, posted bond Wednesday in Highland Park after being booked on a misdemeanor assault family violence charge, his attorney said.
Former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel appeared for an arraignment in a Dallas County courtroom Thursday — his first court appearance since being indicted by a grand jury on a domestic violence charge last month.
In court Thursday, a judge ordered Manziel to have no contact with the alleged victim and barred him from possessing firearms. There was no restriction placed upon Manziel's ability to travel and no mention of curtailing his use of alcohol.
"They're the same terms that anybody else under the similar circumstances would have, nothing unusual about it at all," said Manziel's attorney Bob Hinton.
Manziel did not answer any questions from reporters as he walked through the court building. Dallas County Sheriff tactical unit deputies helped escort Manziel through the building, as he was greeted by numerous television cameras and even a few supporters.
The judge set his next court date for June 24, though it's only a pre-trial hearing and Manziel may not need to personally appear.
The athlete was indicted last month by a Dallas County grand jury in connection with an alleged Jan. 29 incident involving then-girlfriend Colleen Crowley.
According to Crowley, the pair had a confrontation at a Dallas hotel that continued to the valet stand, where she said she was forced into a car despite her pleas for help. When she later tried to jump out of the car, she said, Manziel hit her.
Dallas attorney Nicole Knox joined NBC 5 in studio Thursday to discuss the options for quarterback Johnny Manziel. The NFL quarterback heads to a Dallas courtroom Thursday for the first time since being indicted on a domestic violence charge.
Crowley was later granted a protective order that prohibits Manziel from being within 500 feet of her for two years. He was also ordered to pay $12,000 in legal fees.
Last week, Manziel's bond amount was set at $1,500 following his indictment by a grand jury; his attorney told NBC 5 Manziel paid the bond Wednesday in Highland Park and is expected to appear in a Dallas County courtroom Thursday.
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Manziel's attorneys previously released a statement saying the athlete would plead not guilty: "We believe the evidence will support that plea."
After posting bond, Manziel tweeted, and then quickly deleted, a message that said, "Just thankful I had a shirt this time." The tweet was a reference to a 2012 arrest where he was shirtless in his mugshot.
Since the allegations surfaced earlier this year, Manziel, who entered the NFL with a reputation for partying and drinking, has been cut by the Browns, dropped by two agents, lost his endorsement with Nike and has no NFL job prospects.
If convicted, Manziel faces one year behind bars and a $4,000 fine.
NBC 5's Chris Van Horne contributed to this report.
