Manziel silent outside court after hearing

DALLAS ( AP) — Johnny Manziel waded through a crowd of reporters after his first court appearance in a domestic violence case Thursday, ignoring questions and even an autograph request.

With most of the cameras gone in a quiet parking garage, the 23- year- old Manziel was forced to wait as defense attorney Robert Hinton gave interviews inside. Manziel kept his back to a reporter asking questions about his football future, looking down and wiping his face a few times with his sister, Meri, nearby.

Manziel, a free agent quarterback without an agent and no apparent prospects for signing with another team after being cut by Cleveland, is a long way from the field with NFL offseason workouts starting soon.

Instead, he is preparing a defense against a misdemeanor assault charge that carries a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. The 2012 Heisman Trophy winner from Texas A&M was indicted last month after ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley said he hit her and threatened to kill her during a night out in January.

During the brief hearing, Judge Roberto Canas set bond conditions that already existed through a protective order granted to Crowley. Manziel can’t have any contact with her and can’t possess any firearms. Manziel told Canas that he didn’t own a gun.

“No, sir,” Manziel replied when asked if he had any questions.

No plea was entered, but Hinton said Manziel plans to plead not guilty. A status hearing was set for June 24.

Hinton said the bond conditions were “the same as in any other case.”

“You can’t have a firearm and you can’t go around Ms. Crowley, which he has no desire to do,” Hinton said.

Asked what outcome he expected in the case, Hinton said, “Everybody would kiss and make up.”