Boston Bruins veteran Milan Lucic had the domestic violence charge against him dropped by prosecutors after they filed for a motion to use the 911 call made from the night of the alleged assault. The Bruins also announced that Lucic would remain on indefinite leave for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
The incident occurred on Nov. 18, 2023, when Lucic allegedly assaulted his wife. The court heard that his wife refused to testify against him, invoking her spousal privilege. The 911 call made by her claimed Lucic tried to strangle her after accusing her of hiding his phone. Despite the charges being dropped, the defense argued that the call should be inadmissible due to the possibility of fabrication.
Lucic had been on a leave of absence from the team since his arrest and entered the NHL players’ assistance program. He had pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and requested a bench trial during a pretrial hearing.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office stated that they couldn’t conclusively prove the charges without the participation of Lucic’s wife, a common challenge in cases of domestic violence. The incident led to Lucic’s arrest, with police noting signs of intoxication and a broken lamp in the apartment.
Lucic is a seasoned NHL player who has won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011 and signed a one-year contract last summer. Despite the legal troubles, the Bruins organization expressed support for Lucic and his family as he continues his personal rehabilitation.
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