Slava Voynov Begins Serving Jail Time, May Be Released Early

Kings defenseman Slava Voynov was sentenced to 90 days in jail earlier this summer after he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of corporal injury to his spouse. Voynov is reported to have begun serving his sentence on July 7 in the Seal Beach Police Detention Center, according to the Seal Beach city attorney in the Los Angeles Times.

As a part of his plea bargain, according to the article written by Nathan Fenno, “Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Eric C. Taylor allowed Voynov to serve the time at a city jail of his choosing.” He selected the 30-bed Detention Center in Seal Beach, which costs Voynov $100 a day.

The Times notes that Voynov is only expected to serve around 45 days, possibly less, of his sentence because of “good behavior and other reductions.” After his sentence, he’ll need to complete a 52-week domestic violence prevention program, as well as eight hours of community service.

Fenno’s article continues with details from the report:

A probation report, filed in court the same day that Voynov pleaded no contest, recounted the alleged incident that started at a Halloween party for the Kings.

“The defendant punched her once on the left side of her jaw,” the report said. “Eventually, they stopped arguing and went back inside the venue. She tried to get assistance from other party goers; however she does not speak fluent English.”

The dispute continued at the couple’s Redondo Beach home where the report said that Voynov repeatedly choked, pushed and kicked her.

“According to the victim, she is scared of the defendant and he is very aggressive when he drinks,” the report said. “She admitted this was not the first time the defendant has struck her.”

Attorneys for the couple have called the incident an accident.

Serving just 45 days or less could have Voynov out of jail in time for training camp, which may force the league to make a decision on his playing future. He’s currently suspended indefinitely, with pay.

Despite being suspended indefinitely and seeing some of the gruesome allegations coming from the incident, the Kings have, at least in some regards, stood with Voynov, something that was particularly evident when the team had Voynov practice with the team during his suspension, an action that the league subsequently disciplined with a $100,000 fine.

The team reaction is notable under any circumstance, but is particularly under the microscope after the team decided to terminate the contract of Mike Richards following allegations that he was held at the Canadian border carrying OxyContin. This led many, including Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times, to say that the team needs to give Voynov the same treatment. If the team used moral grounds to terminate Richards’ contract, the same should hold true for Voynov. Morality arguments shouldn’t be employed solely when the team stands to gain financially, employing a morality by convenience policy.

Voynov currently remains on contract with the Kings through the 2018-19 season with an AAV of $4.167 million.

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