Manziel to Continue with Plea Deal, Will Remain Out of Jail

DALLAS (AP/Staff) — Johnny Manziel is trying to reassure a judge concerned that the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback isn’t being serious about the conditions of getting his domestic violence case dismissed, saying his “life is trending upward” and that he is “taking care of this.” And apparently Manziel is having some success. Dallas judge Roberto Canas called the hearing Tuesday because Manziel missed a deadline to provide the court an update on how the former Cleveland player was meeting stipulations that include him participating in a substance-abuse program through the NFL or something similar. The judge has now agreed to let Manziel continue with his plea deal.

Manziel, a Tyler native, said in court that he was slow to meet the condition because he didn’t trust the NFL and planned to work through the players’ association. The 24-year-old Manziel 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 2016. Following the judge’s decision Tuesday, Manziel will remain out of jail — and can have the case erased from his record if he sticks to the deal.