Domestic abuse case against Boston Bruins veteran Milan Lucic dropped after wife declines to testify

911 call evidence was also excluded from the trial.
Boston —
Prosecutors withdrew their domestic abuse prosecution against Milan Lucic, a veteran player for the Boston Bruins, after learning that his wife refused to testify and that a judge ruled her 911 call inadmissible.

Assistant District Attorney Samuel Jones had argued Friday morning for the use of the 911 call in the trial, which was set to begin later that day.

“She is sobbing and distressed. “She claims she fled her apartment as a result of this incident,” Jones stated.

Jones goes on to claim, “Later on, she says that she’s not going to go back to the apartment because her husband put his hands around her neck and she’s scared of that.”

Defense attorney Gary Pelletier said that the call failed to conclusively identify Lucic as the culprit. During inquiry, the 911 dispatcher who answered the call stated that she never asked the caller for her last name or identified her husband by name.

The attorneys also questioned whether the call was admissible without the option to interview the caller in court.
Finally, the court agreed with the defense and blocked the evidence.

Jones responded quickly by submitting a nolle prosequi, which is a notice that the prosecution will no longer pursue the case.

Lucic, who hasn’t played for the Bruins since October 21, is on leave from the team.

Pelletier stated that Lucic wishes to return to the NHL and is sure that the decision made on Friday would allow him to do so in the future. He also stated that Lucic plans to speak with the NHL commissioner.

After his arrest, Lucic enrolled in the NHL’s Player Assistance Program, which assists players dealing with mental health and substance abuse difficulties.

Lucic, who won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011, returned during the offseason, signing a $1 million contract with an additional $500,000 in performance-based incentives.

He made his Bruins debut in 2007 and spent eight seasons with the team before returning in the offseason.

Lucic, who stands 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 236 pounds, was placed on the Bruins’ long-term injured list in October.

Lucic appeared in four games and recorded two assists before suffering a lower-body injury after being hit with a shot off his ankle in a game against Los Angeles on October 21.