Cowboys WR Bryant Arrested For Family Violence
DESOTO (CBSDFW.COM) - Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant was arrested on Monday and charged with family violence, said Capt. Ron Smith with the DeSoto Police Department. The incident happened on Saturday night, as Dez and several others were visiting his mother's home in the 900 block of Longmeadow Lane in DeSoto.
An altercation took place between the 23-year-old NFL star and his mother, Angela Dianne Bryant, after she told her son to leave the house. Dez got upset. According to the police affidavit, Dez grabbed his mother's T-shirt, "causing it and her bra to tear. Defendant (Dez) then grabbed complainant (Angela) by her hair and hit her across her face with his ballcap."
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Dez's mother told authorities that her thumb was swollen and painful, and police were able to observe swelling and bruises on the upper part of her arm. "Complainant stated that when defendant grabbed her by the shirt, she tried to pull his hands away from her. Defendant repeatedly struck the complainant in the hands and wrist," the affidavit said. She did not require medical treatment.
Dez turned himself over to authorities on Monday. The wide receiver's attorney, State Senator Royce West, said that Dez posted a $1,500 bond after learning that an arrest warrant had been issued. Bryant was released after being processed. Police said Tuesday that the Cowboys player was silent about the case, but very cooperative.
"Obviously, he is concerned about what happened and wants to get it resolved," West said.
Angela told authorities that she is willing to testify against her own son.
The law in Texas states that family violence is an attack or threat of immiment harm against a member of one's family or household. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
Training camp begins in two weeks for the Cowboys in Oxnard, California. Their first practice is Monday, July 30. In a statement, team spokesman Rich Dalrymple said the organization is "in the process of gathering information" and declined to comment.
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This is not the first time that Bryant has been in trouble since joining the Cowboys. He was sued in 2011 for a failure to pay for jewelry and tickets to sporting events, and then warned by off-duty police officers at the NorthPark Center in Dallas after creating a scene. Also, earlier this year, Bryant was detained by police in Miami following an altercation at a nightclub.
Angela Bryant was arrested in 1997 for possession of crack cocaine. She pled guilty and served 18 months of a four-year sentence. In May of 2008, she pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of supplying false information about herself to a police officer.
There was also an arrest in April 2009 involving the possession and sale of crack cocaine, Lufkin police reports show.
West said the family is more concerned about Dez Bryant's future as a man rather than a pro football player.
"The reality is you wouldn't be here if it wasn't Dez Bryant or a celebrity," West said. "And from that vantage point, my concern isn't about him being on the football field. My concern is about the person and his family."
CBS 11 reporter Sharrie Williams contributed to this report.
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