Here’s a link to photos from Monday’s preliminary hearing: http://photos.dailybreeze.com/2014/12/photos-la-kings-player-sasha-voynov-prelim-hearing-on-domestic-abuse-charges/#1

Kings defenseman Slava Voynov will stand trial in domestic violence case, judge rules. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Kings defenseman Slava Voynov will stand trial on domestic violence charges, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Hector M. Guzman ruled Monday. The judge determined after a preliminary court hearing there was strong enough evidence that Voynov, 24, should be tried. An arraignment was set for Dec. 29.

Voynov punched, choked and kicked his wife before pushing her into a wall-mounted flat-screen TV in the couple’s Redondo Beach home on Oct. 19, according to the testimony of a Redondo Beach police officer. Voynov’s wife suffered a gash over left eye that required eight stitches to close.

Voynov was suspended with pay by the NHL on Oct. 20. He pleaded not-guilty to one count of corporal injury to a spouse with great bodily injury, a felony. He remained free on bail.

Redondo Beach police officer Gregory Wiist offered the first detailed account of what happened between Voynov and his wife, Marta Varlamova, In graphic testimony, Wiist said he first questioned Varlamova at Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance. She told the officer she had argued with Voynov at a Halloween party and then he punched him in the face when things escalated.

After departing for home in a taxi, the two continued to argue, according to the officer’s testimony. Wiist said Varlamova told him that Voynov pushed her to the floor, kicked her and choked her. Voynov then shoved his wife into the TV, opening a gash. It was only at this point, the officer said, that the player became concerned.

“It wasn’t until then that the attack stopped,” Wiist said Varlamova told him.

The pair sought medical attention at the hospital. Wiist arrived after Torrance police contacted their Redondo Beach colleagues. Wiist said he tape-recorded an interview with Varlamova at the hospital and then, upon returning to the residence, conducted a second taped interview with the woman. Voynov was taken into custody in the early-morning hours of the 20th, the officer said.

The Kings had this to say in a statement after the NHL fined them $100,000 for violating the terms of Slava Voynov’s indefinite suspension: “This was clearly a mistake on our part and we accept full responsibility. It is incumbent upon us to be more vigilant in managing this situation to ensure that Slava’s allowable training activities always remain separate from the team.”

Kings defenseman Slava Voynov will be charged by the L.A. County District Attorney.

Slava Voynov joined his teammates for what the Kings called an “optional” morning skate Tuesday at their El Segundo training facility. The NHL promptly fined the Kings $100,000 for violating the terms of Voynov’s indefinite suspension for a domestic violence incident at his Redondo Beach home in October.

Here’s part of what the league said in an email announcing the fine:

“Voynov skated with teammates today during a Club practice. Such activity is in direct contravention of the terms of the suspension levied Oct. 20, which permit Mr. Voynov to use club facilities and work with team personnel but prohibit his participation in any team-related functions or activities.”

Hard to imagine what Voynov and the Kings were thinking. Voynov entered a not-guilty plea in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Dec. 15.

Here’s the link to our story, via Larry Altman: http://www.dailybreeze.com/general-news/20141201/la-kings-player-slava-voynov-pleads-not-guilty-to-domestic-violence-charges-hires-kobe-bryants-attorney