DA Won’t Drop Charges Against Dez Bryant
By Mike Dyce
Oct 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wider receiver Dez Bryant (88) waves to a fan before the game against the New York Giants at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE
Once Dez Bryant’s mother signed a piece of paper saying she was revoking her desire to press charges many thought these domestic abuses charges against him would disappear. Then the season started and what once was the talk of the town and dominating the airwaves in local sports radio faded into the background. However, the Dallas County district attorney has decided to go forward with the charges.
District attorney Craig Watkins confirmed to ESPN Dallas that they had accepted the case, which originated in Desoto, and are reviewing the case.
“The charges against Dez Bryant have not been dropped,” Watkins told reporters today. “In fact, we’ve accepted the charges from the Desoto police department. At this point, we will make a determination on the best direction that we’ll go in as it relates to the prosecution of Mr. Bryant.”
Class A misdemeanor family violence is the charge Dez Bryant is facing. Dez allegedly slapped his mother in the face with a ball cap. His mother, Angela Bryant, has a history of substance abuse and a record of run-ins with the police.
“Just got off the phone with my lawyer; it’s not true,” Bryant said.
“If indeed the district attorney’s office said it’s true, we’ll move forward with the case through the criminal justice system,” Bryant’s lawyer and state senator Royce West said. “I’m never surprised by anything. I’ve been in law for over 30 years. If the DA thinks it has probable cause, we’ll go from there.”
Watkins downplayed the signifcane of Angela Bryant signing an affidavidt of non-prosecution.
“We have victims every day that file affidavits of non-prosecution,” Watkins told the Dallas Morning News. “We take those into consideration but we take other issues into consideration, too … so that’s just one element of the prosecution that we consider.”
Dez, if convicted, could face additional discipline from the league office including a suspension. A suspension would seriously hamper the Dallas Cowboy’s offense in what was expected by many to be Dez’s breakout season. Despite Kevin Ogletree’s breakout game in week one against the defending world champion New York Giants, he has faded to the background and the Cowboys’ passing offense hasn’t lived up to it’s potential.