Ex-Girlfriend: Johnny Manziel Restrained, Beat, Threatened to Kill Me
In an affidavit in support of her request for a restraining order, Colleen Crowley alleges that Johnny Manziel restrained her, forced her into her car, and said, "Shut up or I'll kill us both." The document outlines a terrifying night in January when the Cleveland Browns quarterback hit her and she was forced to defend herself with a knife.
A restraining order has been issued, ordering Manziel to stay away from Crowley for two years, and Dallas police are investigating the incident.
Deep in the Heart of Texas
Crowley's affidavit describes a normal (by Manziel standards) night of restaurant, bar, club, and after party hopping in Dallas, Texas until the couple found themselves alone in Manziel's hotel room. When Crowley told Manziel she'd be sleeping on the couch, he threw her on the bed and refused to let her leave. He then forced her downstairs and into her car, again against her will.
Crowley claims she ran from the car and tried to hide, but Manziel found her, grabbed her by the hair, and threw her back into the car. "He hit me with his open hand on my left ear for jumping out of the car," Crowley stated. "I realized immediately that I could not hear out of that ear, and I cannot today." Her attorney claims that blow ruptured Crowley's eardrum.
According to the affidavit, the argument continued until they arrived at Crowley's apartment, where it turned "more verbal than physical." Once there, Crowley was able to secure a knife from her kitchen and call for help, upon which Manziel fled the scene.
Johnny Criminal
Crowley's affidavit outlines a litany of possible criminal offenses. Preventing her from leaving the hotel room, forcing her into the car, and keeping her at her apartment could all be kidnapping or false imprisonment; physically restraining and striking Crowley could be charged under assault and battery or domestic violence statutes.
Crowley also claims that Manziel took her phone during the incident, smashed it at her apartment, and took her computer when she tried to face-time her parents for help. Many states have passed laws against taking or destroying someone's phone to prevent them from reporting domestic abuse incidents or otherwise interfering with an attempt to report a crime.
Manziel claims the assault never occurred, and Dallas police said Monday there was no new information on the investigation.
Related Resources:
- Attorney for Colleen Crowley: Johnny Manziel Ruptured Client's Eardrum (ESPN)
- Johnny Manziel's Speeding-Ticket Judge Fumbles on Facebook (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)
- Firm's 'Johnny Football' Trademark Filing Rejected (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)
- Browns LB Busted in Prostitution Sting (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)