Johnny Manziel

By James Brady

Mr. Kruger, who was now speaking with Mr. Manziel, was advised that he needed to return to his vehicle, so that writer could speak to all parties involved. He was later asked and advised that he did not witness anything that occurred, but was just driving from his residence to Pettitis Garden Center when he saw Mr. Manziel’s vehicle with his wife.

.... Mr. Manziel advised that he and Ms. Crowley were in downtown Cleveland drinking earlier in the day, around 2 o’clock, and had plans to go see a movie together. When he decided he wanted to go pick up a friend also, this upset Ms. Crowley. At this point, Mr. Manziel explained his relationship to Ms. Crowley. He advised that they were dating and have been living together for the past two months, but have no children.

Upset with the change in plans, Ms. Crowley wanted to head back to Avon. Mr. Manziel stated that he began heading home and while on IR 90, he had Ms. Crowley’s cell phone on his lap and was using it to control the music. During the ride, Ms. Crowley began accusing him of “driving bad”. He then stated that Ms. Crowley grabbed his wallet, which was in the center divider and threw it out of the window. Mr. Manziel then stopped his vehicle and turned around in order to look for the wallet. After parking, he stated that “She did try to get out of the car.” He then admitted to “trying to grab her arm to keep her from ‘riding’ out of the car”. He was asked if at any point there was any striking, punching or pulling of hair, in which Mr. Manziel responded, “NO.”

While speaking with Mr. Manziel, writer smelled the slight odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. Writer looked for but did not observe any signs of impairment to include; slurred speech, glassy bloodshot eyes, difficulty multitasking or trouble keeping his equilibrium. It was writer’s opinion that Mr. Manziel was not intoxicated and that he had consumed only two alcoholic drinks several hours prior.

Ms. Crowley was instructed to get out of the road and to walk back to writer’s patrol vehicle. Ms. Crowley was led to the side of the road and declined to have a seat in writer’s patrol vehicle. Here writer observed that Ms.Crowley did have blood shot eyes, slurred speech and was having difficulty focusing on what was asked of her by officers. It was officers opinion that Ms. Crowley was intoxicated, confirmed by her later statement that she had consumed at least “3 Crown and Cokes”. At this point, writer observed a small fresh abrasion to Ms. Crowley’s left arm. The mark was on the top side of her wrist and appeared to be a friction burn with no blood seen. Ms. Crowley then began asking for her purse and cell phone.

As officers asked Mr. Manziel for Ms. Crowley’s effects, she began walking towards officers stating, “I didn’t do shit and fuck this!” Ms. Crowley began walking on the side of the road, stating “I didn’t do anything wrong and my dad’s a lawyer.” Ms. Crowley continued to mumble under her breath,swearing and was ordered to have a seat in writer’s patrol vehicle or she would be arrested for disorderly conduct. Writer then tried to speak with Ms. Crowley but she continued to have difficulty in focusing and exhibited mood swings; ranging from argumentative to cooperative.

During the on scene interview, Ms. Crowley confirmed that she and Mr. Manziel stay together. The living arrangements were further expanded upon when she advised that she still resides in Texas and attends TCU. She has only been staying with Mr. Manziel for the past two months, before heading back to TCU for her senior year.

The argument in Avon progressed when she asked for her cell phone and when Mr. Manziel wouldn’t give it back to her, she threw his wallet out of the window. She stated she wanted her cell phone back so that she could call her parents for help. When asked to clarify what type of help, she stated to get her back to Texas.

During the ride back, she did state that Mr. Manziel pushed her head against the glass of the car 5 minutes prior to getting into Avon and in an interview with Ptl. Layne she stated that Mr. Manziel did hit her a couple times in the car. Ms. Crowley was asked if she was fearful of Mr. Manziel’s actions and did she think he could cause her physical harm. Ms. Crowley responded “no he was fine”.

It should be noted that no other signs of physical injury, beside the left wrist area, were noticed on Ms. Crowley. She was adamant that she did not want to pursue charges or want anything ‘pressed’. She kept stating that she just wanted her phone and to return to Texas.

She was told that she (Ms. Crowley) had thrown his wallet out and also stated that he (Mr. Manziel) was beating her. Ms. Clarke was asked if she observed any of the contact, in which she advised “only the pulling on her wrist.” Ms. Crowley further advised Ms. Clarke that she just wanted to get her stuff and leave.

As Ms. Clark was passing the slowing Nissan, she observed what appeared to be a white female passenger trying to open her door, with the white male driver holding her back. She described it appeared the driver’s arm and elbow were around the neck of the female, pulling her inside the car. Ms. Clark was asked if she viewed the actions as aggressive by the male in attempts to harm the female or if they were actions used to keep the occupant from exiting a moving car. Ms. Clark was not sure, but did state the male’s actions kept the female from exiting the moving car.

It is believed that the friction burn caused to Ms. Crowley’s left wrist was from the actions of Mr. Manziel grabbing it to keep Ms. Crowley in the car. The intent of these actions is unknown; whether it was to knowingly cause physical harm to her or if it was from Mr. Manziel trying to keep Ms. Crowley safe from exiting the vehicle. No primary physical aggressor can be determined. Based upon the statements of Mr. Manziel and Ms. Crowley, their relationship status, the lack of physical evidence;with the exception to Ms. Crowley’s left wrist, Ms. Crowley’s level of intoxication, the inconsistencies of Ms. Crowley’s statements ranging from whether Mr. Manziel was physically abusive towards her or not, and neither party wishing to pursue charges, no arrest was made.

The full police report is below.

"It probably looked more interesting than it was."
These are the words Johnny Manziel used to explain his latest incident that, according to a police report, involved an argument with his girlfriend, passing another car on an interstate while driving on the shoulder at a high rate of speed, driving across several lanes to exit the interstate at the same high speed and pushing his girlfriend's face into the car window while he drove as the two argued.
Manziel and Colleen Crowley pulled over in Avon, Ohio, and were questioned by police after 911 calls were placed about their behavior.
The facts, as presented in the police report, of what happened Monday are concerning. Plain and simple.
The focus will be on Manziel's admission of drinking, because he spent 10 weeks in a treatment facility in the offseason. However, he never has said why he voluntarily went to the Caron Treatment Center, nor has he detailed his aftercare and whether he has been counseled not to drink.
Police determined Manziel was not intoxicated. He and Crowley were allowed to leave together. But the way he drove put himself, Crowley and anyone else on that highway at serious risk.
Questions no doubt will follow, but there is one key question for the Cleveland Browns: When will they have had enough?
The Browns have chosen to not berate Manziel publicly, but to deal with him privately. That can be questioned; the word "enabling" comes to mind, though we also don't know what the team is doing privately. The collective bargaining agreement also limits what the team can do.
Manziel could be made inactive Sunday, but when Justin Gilbert was involved in an alleged road rage incident that had several people calling 911 reporting Gilbert and another car were racing down a different highway, the Browns handled it internally.
Manziel was not charged, arrested or even tested for alcohol.
Since the day Manziel was drafted, he has had his share of off-field distractions. He seemingly had put those distractions on the shelf this season after his rehab stint.
But his rookie-year troubles included the rolled-up bill in the bathroom and the floating swan and then security rousting him from bed the morning before the season finale because he was sleeping after being out late the night before.
Manziel said he looked like a "jackass" for those late-season actions, then said his future actions had to speak louder than his words.
Now we have this: Allegedly arguing with his girlfriend and endangering the lives of others, then tweeting that "it looked more interesting than it was."
This latest incident in no way, shape or form diminishes the efforts Manziel made in treatment, or the respect he deserves for going. But what happened Monday does raise concerns, again, about his choices.
To say it looked more interesting than it was?
For a guy trying to get and keep his life together, it's a red flag, bright and persistent as the lights on top of the police cars that pulled up to Manziel on Monday afternoon.

AVON, Ohio - Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel, was pulled over by Avon police after police said a domestic argument got out of hand on Interstate 90 westbound earlier in the week.
Police said alcohol was involved. The argument took place between Manziel and his Texas Christian University girlfriend Colleen Elizabeth Crowley.
According to a four-page police report obtained exclusively by newsnet5.com, both were drinking but were not charged.