Johnny Manziel makes first court appearance for domestic violence charge
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manzielwas told Thursday by a judge in Dallas County Criminal Court to have no contact whatsoever with former girlfriend Colleen Crowley.
Judge Roberto Canas on Thursday took no more than 15 minutes to explain the conditions for Manziel's release on $1,500 bond. In addition, Canas said Manziel could have no contact -- no calls, texts, emails, letters or visits -- with Crowley.
It was Manziel's first court appearance in relation to a misdemeanor charge stemming from a domestic violence complaint by Crowley.
Manziel on Thursday also had to sign an affidavit confirming he doesn't own any firearms and that there aren't any firearms where he lives.
No plea was entered, but defense attorney Robert Hinton says Manziel plans to plead not guilty.
Manziel was booked in and booked out at the Highland Park jail Wednesday afternoon and was released on $1,500 bond.
He faces a charge of misdemeanor assault related to family violence, which carries up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. He reported voluntarily; his attorney Jim Darnell released a statement the day charges were announced saying he believed Manziel would be acquitted.
Crowley, Manziel's ex-girlfriend, alleged in a statement filed seeking a protection order that Manziel hit her and dragged her into a car against her will during a night out on Jan. 30. The statement said Crowley was hit so hard she ruptured her eardrum. Crowley's medical records were provided to police.
The two-year protection order was granted and signed by Manziel.
The NFL will look into the situation. Manziel could be disciplined under the league's personal conduct and substance abuse policies.
The charge against Manziel was the most serious incident in a turbulent offseason for the quarterback.
That offseason started when he finished the Cleveland Browns season in the NFL's concussion protocol but was seen in Las Vegas the night before and day of the team's season finale. The Browns released him in March.
He since has been in numerous social media photos around the country. He has lost an endorsement from Nike and been dropped by two agents as well as LRMR. the marketing arm ofLeBron James' agency.
A rental agent in West Hollywood, California, alleged Manziel rented a house in March and held two nights of wild parties that prompted calls to police from neighbors.
On the night of the draft, Manziel was photographed watching TV in a bar. He responded angrily to that photograph on Twitter the next night, saying he has been doing the same things he always has done.
Manziel has said he will work to return to the NFL in 2016, but no team has shown interest in signing him.
Information from ESPN's Pat McManamon, Mark Schwarz and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
