Factory Of Sadness
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Hard For Police To Build Criminal Case Against Johnny Manziel

By Nick Dudukovich

Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Johnny Manziel’s ex-girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, alleged the former Heisman Trophy winner had assaulted her, but with the investigation already closed, it’s likely both the Dallas and Fort Worth police had little evidence to build a case.

On the same day the media reported that Johnny Manziel struck his girlfriend, Dallas and Fort Worth Police closed their investigation on the former Heisman winner. Manziel’s girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, told police that Manziel had assaulted her, and threatened to kill her, and then himself.

After the shocking report broke, Manziel used TMZ to dispute the report, stating he’s “completely stable.” He added that he “just need(s) to get my body right” and that he’s “100 percent committed to football.” Sure sounds like something someone who’s unstable, and in total denial might say.

His name is taking a beating, no NFL team will want to come within 10 football fields of him, but the cure-all is just getting his body right? Wishful thinking, Johnny.

Some media opinion leaders, such as ESPN’s Adam Schefter and CBS Radio’s Nick Wright are trying to make something out of the fact that on the same day Crowley’s allegations were made public, that the investigations involving Manziel were closed by both the Dallas and Fort Worth Police Departments.

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There’s plenty of comments flying around social media that privilege was helping Manziel  avoid the law. It’s too easy to draw those conclusions, but maybe the police just didn’t have anything to build a case.

Two big police departments closed their investigations. That should be very telling. It’s likely they have nothing in terms of physical evidence. It’s hard to prove something without evidence.

Don’t construe this as standing up for Manziel. It is what it is. Yeah, that’s a lousy explanation, because  maybe he did do some of the things Crowley alleged.  No one really knows what happened except Johnny and his ex, but the reality is that it’s likely the police don’t have enough to build a case.

The whole story is sad and pathetic. Crowley was bar hopping on the night in question. Was she drunk? If she was, how much was her story over-exaggerated? She went to Manziel’s hotel room after making making some rounds at the bar. They couple had already broken up.  Of course an argument would ensue. It’s been reported Johnny drove her because she was intoxicated.

And then came the car ride. Crowley alleged about that she got out, and Manziel got out of the car after her, pulling her hair and throwing her back in the car. The next thing we know, Crowley is worried about Manziel’s well-being and a helicopter was dispatched to find the fading football star.

It sounds bad. And it is. Everything about the story just reeks an unsavory odor. But the bottom line remains that the police were left with little to work with.  TMZ reported police interviewed Crowely at her home and that she “became irritated with the officer’s questions,” becoming “increasingly uncooperative.” She also refused cops to allow photographs of her alleged injuries.

No shocker here. If what Crowley alleged was true, she wouldn’t become the first victim to become evasive, as the fear that a loved one (Manziel) might face criminal consequences.

There’s also the side of the story that would indicate that the police didn’t believe Crowley’s statements as accurate. This could be another explanation as to why the investigation was closed.

Crowley filed for a protection order against Manziel. That’s good and hopefully both honor it. These two people shouldn’t be around each other. And Manziel, despite his “Yeah, it’s all good,” statement to TMZ has really deep issues. Johnny thinks he’s fine, but his Dad doesn’t.

Johnny just used to be the kid who liked to go out for a good time. But now, he’s the guy that finds trouble.

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If his family can’t get him help soon, it may be too late for Johnny, and I’m not just talking about his once-promising football career.

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