Dez Bryant, the Dallas Cowboys receiver who has been mired in controversy for mistakes on the field, will not have an off-the-field problem go away.
Dallas district attorney Craig Watkins’ office confirmed to ESPNDallas.com on Wednesday that it has accepted the Class A misdemeanor family violence charges from the DeSoto Police Department and the case is under review.
Earlier Wednesday, Watkins told The Dallas Morning News at a speaking engagement that his office will decide the proper way to move forward regarding the prosecution of Bryant.
The charges stem from a July 14 disturbance in which Bryant was accused of slapping his mother, Angela Bryant, in the face with his cap. She later recanted her story to police.
“Just got off the phone with my lawyer; it’s not true,” Bryant said after Wednesday’s practice at Valley Ranch.
Bryant’s attorney, Texas state senator Royce West, told ESPNDallas.com later in the day that he hadn’t spoken to the district attorney’s office at that point.
“If indeed the district attorney’s office said it’s true, we’ll move forward with the case through the criminal justice system,” 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.”
Cowboys officials had no comment regarding the reports.
Bryant is subject to either a suspension or fine if the league deems he violated the NFL’s discipline policy. Bryant has not met with league officials.
Bryant’s mother told authorities in late July that she did not want to pursue charges.
“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.”
