Prosecutors made the decision to drop a domestic violence charge against Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic on Friday. They cited his wife’s choice to invoke marital privilege, which they argued rendered it impossible to establish the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
When Lucic’s wife declined to testify, prosecutors’ efforts to introduce 911 call information as evidence were thwarted, effectively bringing an end to the legal proceedings.
James Borghesani, the chief of communications for Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, emphasized that this scenario is not uncommon in cases involving domestic violence charges. He stated, “We handled this case exactly as we would any other presenting a similar set of circumstances.”
A spokesperson for Lucic did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Lucic, a key member of the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup championship team, had been arrested on suspicion of assault and battery on a family member, a charge carrying a maximum penalty of 2½ years in prison.
According to a report from the Boston Police Department, Lucic appeared to be intoxicated when officers arrived at his North End apartment early on November 18, following a report from his wife alleging that he had attempted to choke her.
While Brittany Lucic informed the responding officers that her husband had pulled her hair, she stated that he had not attempted to strangle her and declined medical treatment.
Lucic had been released on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty. As a condition of his bail, he was prohibited from abusing his wife and consuming alcohol.
Following his arrest, the Bruins announced that the 6-foot-3, 236-pound Vancouver native would be taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team.
