Joseph Randle accused of abuse

ByTODD ARCHER
February 6, 2015, 4:51 PM

— -- IRVING, Texas -- The ex-girlfriend of Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle has been granted a temporary protective order against him after saying in court papers that Randle threatened to "blast" a vehicle with their son inside after pointing a gun at her friend.

Dalia Jacobs, the mother of his two children, wrote in a request filed Wednesday in district court in Wichita, Kansas, that Randle smashed the windshield of the car with his fist, "causing glass to shatter across my friend and my child" during an altercation outside a Wichita hotel. Jacobs also claimed that Randle has a "history of being both physically and emotionally abusive towards me."

"I am frightened he may do something to harm me and my child," Jacobs wrote in her request for the protective order.

A gun was not found on the scene, but police are continuing an investigation into the accusation.

The incident occurred the same night Randle was arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession. The drug charge against Randle was dropped Friday because of inconsistencies, according to police spokesman Lt. James Espinoza, though other charges are possible. Espinoza said dropping the drug charge allows them to present any other charges that result from the ongoing investigation to prosecutors at one time. 

If Randle is charged with domestic violence, he would be subject to a six-game suspension under the NFL's new conduct policy. A second domestic violence offense would lead to a lifetime ban.

Randle's agent and the Cowboys both had no comment Friday, but Randle's attorney, Gary L. Ayers, issued a statement Saturday.

"Joseph Randle regrets that he was recently involved in a party in a Wichita, Kansas hotel that ended with the Wichita Police being called," Ayers said in the statement. "There are no criminal charges. A woman who was present at the party has filed a protection from abuse lawsuit, which Randle believes to have no merit. Randle asked the woman to leave the party and go home, which she refused to do. Contrary to the woman's allegations, Randle did not threaten her or brandish a gun at any time.

"Randle has retained counsel who will contact the Wichita police to offer cooperation with any further investigation they may want to conduct. Until that time, Randle has been advised by counsel to not discuss the incident. He very much appreciates the many statements of support from his family, friends, and fans."

In October, Randle was arrested at a Frisco, Texas, mall for attempting to steal Polo underwear and a tester bottle of Gucci cologne. Randle made matters worse with inappropriate comments in the jailhouse toward a female employee as well as disparaging comments about previous arrests of teammates Dez Bryant and Josh Brent. The Cowboys fined Randle an undisclosed amount, and he apologized.

Randle, who has two years remaining on his four-year, $2.3 million rookie contract, is in position to see his playing time increase if DeMarco Murray, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, doesn't re-sign.

Randle, a fifth-round draft pick in 2013, carried the ball 51 times for 343 yards and had three touchdowns last season.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.