Milan Lucic arrested after domestic incident - on indefinite leave from Bruins
- Thread starter TSC
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I saw him mind the net in a Bs alumni game about 10 years ago -- he played the position very spryly against my area's local pick up team. "Cleon" is one of the all-time great first names.
Lucic plead not guilty in court today. Released on his own recognizance, ordered not to consume alcohol or abuse the victim. Pretrial hearing scheduled for January 19.
I would guess this results in a plea deal.
View: https://twitter.com/wbznewsradio/status/1726975938116620786?s=20
Not sure what the next steps are for the Bruins. I assume there is a process the team needs to go through but a recent example is Alex Galchenyuk was arrested on numerous charges (not DV) in Arizona and they terminated him within 4 days.
I would guess this results in a plea deal.
View: https://twitter.com/wbznewsradio/status/1726975938116620786?s=20
Not sure what the next steps are for the Bruins. I assume there is a process the team needs to go through but a recent example is Alex Galchenyuk was arrested on numerous charges (not DV) in Arizona and they terminated him within 4 days.
Lucic needs to get into an alcohol rehab center immediately IMO.
And then his contract needs to be terminated.
And then his contract needs to be terminated.
It likely depends on whether his wife decides to pursue prosecution and/or what was on the 911 tape. Regardless, he may ultimately decide it's in his best interest to do some type of plea or agree to a resolution with some probationary conditions. He clearly should get treatment for alcohol abuse ASAP, irrespective of the criminal court case. The Bruins need to release him yesterday either way.
"Ordered not to abuse the victim" that he already abused is such a weird and gross statement.
Just cut him now.
Just cut him now.
According to the police report, during the 911 call the victim stated he tried to choke her. When the police arrived they noticed and documented red marks on her chest and asked again if he had tried to strangle her but she said no. She also refused medical treatment. I could be wrong but I believe the state can still prosecute without the victims cooperation though I'd imagine getting a conviction becomes more difficult.
As for releasing him, I agree he should be gone. I just don't know the logistics behind how to do it and it's complicated by the fact he was/is on LTIR.
The NHL and NHLPA do have a player assistance program that is designed for players and families to seek confidential help for mental health, substance abuse and anything else. It may be something to utilize if he seeks treatment.
Seems very clear that alcohol is a major contributing factor. I hope his wife and kids feel they are in a safe place. I hope that Lucic accepts and receives the help he needs to better himself as a father and husband. I also hope there is a way for the family to reconcile what happened and find peace in their very public situation.
It’s always very disappointing when someone you look up to (family, sports hero, etc) lets you down. I feel for his kids and truly hope it isn’t a long standing pattern of behavior. Stinks.
It’s always very disappointing when someone you look up to (family, sports hero, etc) lets you down. I feel for his kids and truly hope it isn’t a long standing pattern of behavior. Stinks.
If the 911 call can be characterized as "non-testimonial" in that there was an "ongoing emergency" when she made those statements and the primary purpose by police was to assist in that ongoing emergency when the dispatcher asked her questions, then absolutely they will be able to go forward with a prosecution even without her cooperation or possible assertion of marital privilege. And with the other corroborating details as you listed there, it sounds like they would have a fairly solid case.
You’re not wrong, but it’s just the common verbiage of how the order is written.
The Commonwealth can, but it’s generally unlikely, assuming no serious priors or more serious injury. If she doesn’t cooperate with the prosecution, this is unlikely to go very far in the legal system.
Even if it’s a hearsay exception, it can’t be offered for the truth of what’s being asserted, right? I can conceive of ways to get it in, but not really in ways where the probative value outweighed the prejudicial.
It definitely can get in. Firstly, as being non-testimonial to satisfy 6th Amendment issues and then likely as an excited utterance as a hearsay exception. It then becomes fair game to argue with the jury. It's definitely not as compelling as when the declarant (Lucic's wife) is not there to testify or be subject to cross-examination, but that goes to the weight and not admissibility.
This article has some detail as well as an embedded video of the court appearance. (Aside: The DA refers to the defense attorney as his "brother" but this is a weird law thing.)
https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-bruins/2023/11/21/not-guilty-plea-bruins-milan-lucic-alleged-domestic-violence-incident/
View: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=24240806718898031
https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-bruins/2023/11/21/not-guilty-plea-bruins-milan-lucic-alleged-domestic-violence-incident/
View: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=24240806718898031
So, my wife, who defends cases like this, said that she would try to keep the 911 tape out, which sometimes works. Not all 911 calls meet the "excited utterance" exception - she'd have to hear the call to render an opinion on how likely it would be to be admitted.
Without the victim testifying (which seems unlikely), the odds of DA moving forward with it are pretty low and her willingness to have her client plead would also be pretty low. Jurors tend to be reluctant to convict without the victim testifying.
Without the victim testifying (which seems unlikely), the odds of DA moving forward with it are pretty low and her willingness to have her client plead would also be pretty low. Jurors tend to be reluctant to convict without the victim testifying.
Lucic is entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
View: https://twitter.com/conroyherald/status/1727107295358939511?s=46&t=23orJRFkAhpzRtm4p3-oEw
View: https://twitter.com/conroyherald/status/1727107295358939511?s=46&t=23orJRFkAhpzRtm4p3-oEw
Apparently so. That jumped out to me as well, but according to a lawyer friend, those conditions are often on the record in DV incidents because not only is it obviously a crime, but it would also be a violation of the bail, which means no more bail.
Typically, we have commanders fill out a military protective order (MPO) when there is an allegation of DV. There’s also a required cooling off period where the servicemember is moved into the barracks for at least 72 hours but some places it’s 7 days. The MPO has several stipulations that will prevent the soldier from contacting the spouse or being within a certain distance from the spouse. It includes contact in person or via electronic means or even through a third party. There’s a requirement now to file the MPO with the MPs which gets fed into the national database. It’s not enforceable off post but at least the local law enforcement will know about it.