Charges dropped against Manziel

Johnny Manziel has reached an agreement with prosecutors to dismiss a domestic violence charge against him.

The downward-spiraling former Browns quarterback faced a misdemeanor charge that carried a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine after he was accused of hitting and threatening former girlfriend Colleen Crowley during a night out in January.

Dallas County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Brittany Dunn said the unemployed Manziel wasn’t present Friday, when the agreement was filed. Manziel, who will turn 24 Tuesday, must meet the following conditions for a year before formally being cleared: complete an anger management class; attend a domestic violence impact panel; participate in the NFL’s substance abuse program (or something similar, if he doesn’t regain a spot in the NFL); not have any contact with Crowley.

“If the undersigned defendant fails to meet one of the requirements of this agreement or is charged with a new offense, the defendant will be prosecuted for this offense,” the agreement states.

The allegations stem from a night out Jan. 30. Crowley said Manziel accosted her at a Dallas hotel, a confrontation that continued downstairs to the valet station. She said he forced her into a car, and a valet disregarded her pleas for help.

The two eventually drove to where her car was parked in front of a Dallas bar, she said in an affidavit. She said Manziel got into the driver’s seat and began to drive. Crowley said Manziel stopped when she tried to jump out of the car, but then he dragged her back inside and hit her.

Prosecutors said the agreement with Manziel was far from the end of the process.

“A conditional dismissal is only the beginning of the process of educating an individual on how to make better choices when facing conflict,” prosecutors said.

Just this week, for instance, Manziel was sued by a Texas bartender for allegedly punching him in the face over a dispute and breaking his nose. —