Johnny Manziel Indicted for Domestic Violence Assault Charge

A Dallas County, Texas, grand jury has issued a formal indictment against former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel for an alleged incident Jan. 30 involving ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley.

The Associated Press passed along confirmation of the indictment Tuesday after KRLD NewsRadio 1080 initially reported it Sunday.

Rebecca Lopez of WFAA shared a copy of the indictment:

Sarah Mervosh of the Dallas Morning News provided a statement from Dallas District Attorney Susan Hawk:

Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan noted Manziel faces a maximum of one year in jail if convicted along with a $4,000 fine.

Bond was set at $1,500 in the case Wednesday, per the AP.

Jim Darnell, Manziel's lead counsel, issued a statement after the announcement, via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal:

"

We certainly respect the decision of the grand jury but of course they only hear part of the case: What the D.A. chooses to share with them. We don't know what that was. This case will not be assigned to a court in Dallas County where the parties are able to join the issue. Johnny will certainly plead "not guilty" and we believe the evidence will support that plea. Out of respect for Ms. Crowley, we will not try the case in the press. We do, however, believe that Johnny will be acquitted at the conclusion of the case.

"

Following the announcement, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report reported Manziel is expected to be suspended as the NFL continues to investigate the incident:

CBS DFW, citing sources Sunday, also reported that "there was an out-of-court civil settlement between Manziel and Crowley over the issue. But at this time, there isn't any indication what the settlement may be."

However, Darnell denied Tuesday that Manziel and Crowley had reached a settlement, via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

In February, Rebecca Lopez of WFAA News 8 shared some of Crowley's statements to the police after the reported incident, which included Manziel allegedly striking her and stating, "Shut up or I'll kill us both." Crowley reportedly believed the NFL star was potentially on drugs or having a psychotic breakdown during the ordeal.

Manziel denied those allegations to TMZ Sports. A short time later, Tom Withers of the AP reported both police departments involved in the investigation—Fort Worth and Dallas—opted against filing assault charges.

One day after closing the initial case, the Dallas Police Department received a formal complaint of domestic violence regarding the incident, and it began a criminal investigation.

As the situation played out, the quarterback's father, Paul, told Kate Hairopoulos of the Dallas Morning News he feared for his 23-year-old son's future after he twice declined to enter rehabilitation facilities.

"I truly believe if they can't get him help, he won't live to see his 24th birthday," he said.

In late February, Eric Prisbell of USA Today noted the class A misdemeanor assault case had been sent to a Dallas County grand jury.

The Browns officially waived Manziel shortly after the new league year began March 9 following a long list of off-field concerns.

While the quarterback was awaiting word on charges in the case, Emily Smith of Page Six reported Manziel and his friends were accused of causing $32,000 in damage at a rental house in Los Angeles.

Real estate broker Nicholas Goodwin described the scene to Page Six:

"

They were supposed to check out at noon. Manziel was passed out . . . There was cocaine all over the kitchen table, and mushrooms were still out on the table in front of him. There was booze everywhere . . . broken glasses over the floor and a Champagne glass in a tree. If they don't respond to our demand for compensation, we will sue.

"

Word of the incident came a month after Manziel told TMZ Sports he still expected to play in the NFL next season despite his recent litany of off-field problems.

"Johnny is coming around," attorney Bob Hinton said, via Jennifer Emily of the Dallas Morning News. "He is awfully young, and he is thrust into the maturation process. It is unfortunate that these circumstances have presented themselves."

Being charged in the case further muddles Manziel's professional future. Though criticism of the league has continued, the NFL announced new, tougher domestic violence standards as part of its updated personal-conduct policy in 2014.

Manziel entered the league with a lot of promise when the Browns selected him in the first round of the 2014 draft. Since that point, however, he's failed to make necessary on-field improvements and has been unable to avoid the negative spotlight away from the field.