Manziel gets conditional dismissal deal in domestic violence case

More than 10 months after allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Johnny Manziel has reached a deal with prosecutors that would dismiss the case against him.

The former NFL quarterback and Texas A&M star reached a “conditional dismissal agreement,” 105.3 The Fan reported Friday morning, which would dismiss the case outright if he fulfills the requirements.

WFAA reported he must complete an anger management course, attend a domestic violence victim impact panel, take part in the NFL’s policy and program for substance abuse or a rehabilitation program, and have no contact with his ex-girlfriend, whom he allegedly assaulted in January.

While declining to speak about the deal as the paperwork was still being filed Friday, the Dallas County district attorney’s office released a statement explaining that the agreement is a contract between the defendant, prosecution and the court, and the defendant would be prosecuted if he or she fails to live up to the requirements of the agreement within the time frame given.

“A conditional dismissal agreement is only the beginning of the process of educating an individual on how to make better choices when facing conflict,” the statement said. “It is an important first step for a defendant. Success or failure will depend upon one’s commitment to the treatment programs included.”

The Heisman Trophy winner faced a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. His next court date to finalize the requirements is Jan. 12.

Officials reached a tentative agreement Nov. 17 to drop the charges, and the judge said there was an agreement “in principle” to drop them and gave the officials two weeks to finalize the details.

The former Cleveland Browns quarterback was accused by his ex-girlfriend, Colleen Crowley of Fort Worth, of repeatedly hitting her Jan. 30 as they drove from Hotel ZaZa in Dallas to her apartment in Fort Worth.

Manziel was indicted in April on a misdemeanor charge of assault/family violence.

At a hearing in May, Manziel was told not to have any contact with or go near Crowley, and as a condition of his $1,500 bail he was not allowed to possess a firearm.

Manziel was released by the Cleveland Browns in March, and despite attempts to get another spot in the NFL, he remains without a team.

The Dallas Morning News reported that Manziel re-enrolled at Texas A&M University this semester to finish his degree. This week, a lawsuit was filed against him by an employee at a bar in Austin alleging that Manziel punched him in the face, breaking his nose, because the man was talking about Manziel to another customer.

This story was originally published December 2, 2016 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Manziel gets conditional dismissal deal in domestic violence case."