Los Angeles' Kings Salva Voynov Domestic Abuse Scandal: Charged With Felony In Court

The people of Los Angeles should be used to the bad reputations carried by the teams that represent their city. After all the riff stirred up by Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, one would think other teams would know what NOT to do. Instead, it is plain that the City of Angels attracts those cut from the same fabric. On Thursday, NHL defenseman Slava Voynov, of the Los Angeles Kings, was charged with felony domestic violence.

According to TMZ, Voynov Inflicted serious damage to his wife:

"The charge -- corporal injury to a spouse with great bodily injury -- carries a maximum sentence of 9 years in state prison...According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney, Voynov's wife suffered injuries to her eyebrow, cheek and neck ... and the damage was serious enough that she had to get treated at a hospital. Voynov will be arraigned on December 1. He's been suspended from the Kings since his arrest on October 20."

Marta Varlamova, Voynov's wife, actually is not pressing charges. ESPN tells readers that lawyer Michael J. Walsh made a statement Thursday explaining Marta's side of the story:

"Marta was stunned by the news today and she is devastated...She did not believe, and does not believe, that her husband intended to injure her and she believes that he is not guilty of any crime. She is worried about her family's privacy and concerned that she and her family are going to be subjected to ridicule, embarrassment and hatred because of this decision. In fact, she has already seen that beginning to happen. It is unfortunate that no one seemed to care what she wants, and that the authorities gave little or no weight to her view of the facts of the case."

Even with his wife sticking by his side, Voynov is not out of hot water. The fact remains that the District Attorney’s office has filed a felony domestic abuse case against the brute, and if he is guilty, the judicial system will take appropriate action and assign an appropriate sentence.

What do you think about Voynov? Is he just another example of an Athlete being out of control? Or, could this whole thing be a misunderstanding? Let us know in the comment section below.