Dallas Police: No Decision Yet On Whether Manziel Will Be Charged
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) — Dallas police are continuing to investigate a domestic violence assault complaint against Johnny Manziel, the department said. There has been no determination yet whether a charge will be filed against the former Texas A&M football star.
Dallas police began the investigation on Feb. 5, after receiving a complaint that said a domestic violence assault happened on Jan. 30. Police say Manziel is listed as the suspect.
Detectives have continued to talk with the complainant and witnesses and have obtained medical records and surveillance video. Working around the victim's and witnesses' schedules can sometimes delay the process, police said Saturday.
However, some say the amount of time it has taken the Dallas Police Department to determine whether Manziel will be charged raises questions about possible preferential treatment.
Former police officer and now defense attorney Pete Schulte said misdemeanor family violence cases typically don't take this long to investigate.
"It looks like Dallas police are proceeding cautiously in this case and they don't normally do that, especially when you are dealing with a misdemeanor family violence assault case," he said. "I've had clients arrested on far less evidence a lot earlier on. … It makes it appear as if they are giving someone special treatment. I don't think that is what they are intending to do, but that's what it is appearing to be to the public."
Schulte said he believes the department has enough now based on the victim's statement to meet the threshold of probable cause needed to arrest Manziel on a Class A misdemeanor family violence assault charge.
Since the investigation is ongoing, police did not list any details Saturday, and they said more information will be released as it becomes available. The department said it hopes to complete its investigation next week.
According to an affidavit that was part of proceedings requesting a protective order, Manziel's ex-girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, said Manziel attacked her and threatened to kill her and himself in a multi-city altercation that began in Dallas and ended at her apartment in Fort Worth during the last weekend of January. In the affidavit, Crowley said Manziel hit her so hard on the side of the head that she lost some hearing.
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