May 04--Marta Varlamova, wife of Kings defenseman Slava Voynov, opted Monday for domestic violence counseling in order to avoid a charge of criminal contempt.
Voynov, who is suspended from the Kings indefinitely with pay, is scheduled for a July 6 trial on a felony domestic violence charge in connection to allegations he assaulted Varlamova during an incident at their home in October.
Varlamova, speaking during a hearing at the Los Angeles Superior Court in Torrance, has declined to testify regarding motions being made in advance of the July trial.
After conferring with Michael Walsh, her attorney, Varlamova said that she would accept an offer from the NHL Players' Assn. to undergo domestic violence counseling to determine whether she would change her mind about testifying.
Walsh said the players union had offered the counseling after the alleged incident occurred. He did not indicate how long Varlamova could wait before she would need to attend counseling.
"I do not have a timetable available as to when they can get her in," Walsh said.
Dist. Atty. Frank Dunnick said Varlamova's testimony was essential for the purpose of "establishing the traumatic events for the layout of the case." He urged Judge Eric Taylor to "do everything possible to get her to testify."
Taylor said "a contempt charge is very limited in what we can do." The fine for contempt is less than $1,000.
The court began hearing motions from the defense to suppress pre-trial statements made by Varlamova. The proceedings are scheduled to continue Monday afternoon.
