Kings' Slava Voynov Pleads No Contest To Misdemeanor In Domestic Violence Case
TORRANCE (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov pleaded no contest Thursday to a misdemeanor charge of corporal injury to a spouse, stemming from an October fight with his wife that led to his suspension from the team.
Voynov, 25, was sentenced to 90 days in jail and three years probation and was ordered to take part in a year-long domestic violence course and perform eight hours of community service.
The defenseman, who is from Russia, must surrender on July 14, but is being allowed to serve his jail sentence at any jail in Los Angeles County.
A progress-report hearing, which Voynov will not be required to attend, was set for Oct. 5.
Voynov previously pleaded not guilty to a count of felony domestic violence after prosecutors say he injured his wife during an Oct. 19, 2014 argument at their Redondo Beach home. Police were notified of her injuries after she sought medical attention at a hospital.
Since his arrest, Voynov had been suspended indefinitely from the NHL. The team was fined $100,000 in December after Voynov skated with teammates during a team practice, a violation of the terms of his suspension.
Voynov was originally scheduled to go on trial in March, but it was postponed at least twice. Voynov's wife, Marta Varlamova, who had appeared in court with her husband, also held up the start of the trial when she balked at testifying in the case.
In a statement, the Los Angeles Kings said the NHL would now begin their own investigation into Voynov's conduct.
"We believe the legal system has effectively resolved this matter and the punishment is fair and just. Any act of domestic violence is unacceptable. As an organization, the prevention of domestic violence and the education of our players and employees is of paramount importance. We will continue to actively develop and implement a strategy to deliver this message," the Kings statement said. "We remain steadfast in our support of the National Hockey League as they now begin their own investigative process. Until that is complete we will withhold further comment."
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