Artem Chigvintsev is off the hook — at least legally speaking.
The Dancing With The Stars pro will NOT be charged by the District Attorney in Napa County in northern California after being arrested late last month on domestic violence-related charges in the city of Yountville. As we’ve been reporting, Artem — who is married to former pro wrestler Nikki Garcia (known professionally in the WWE as Nikki Bella) — was arrested on felony charges of corporal injury to a spouse after an apparent incident at a home in the NorCal city. But after what the DA in Napa County is calling a “thorough” investigation, no official charges are coming.
Related: Twins Together! Nikki Garcia Seen Out With Sister Brie Amid Hard Artem Chigvintsev Divorce
As for why the 42-year-old professional dancer isn’t facing any charges, District Attorney Allison Haley shared a statement with the media about her office’s decision. Per DailyMail.com, the statement began like this:
“While we take every arrest seriously and stand firmly against domestic violence, we have an ethical obligation to only file charges when supported by the evidence.”
Wow. So, no evidence that could implicate Artem despite the arrest — or at least none that would hold up in court, maybe. DA Haley alluded to that latter possibility in the rest of the statement:
“We are required to prove any and every criminal charge ‘beyond a reasonable doubt,’ which is the highest standard in the American criminal justice system. If the available evidence doesn’t rise to this level of proof, then we cannot ethically file charges.”
And so, no charges will be filed. Now, FWIW, domestic violence in the state of California can either be pursued as a misdemeanor or a felony. That’s important because in the Golden State, the misdemeanor version of the charge has a one year statute of limitations, while the felony version’s statute of limitations lasts three years. So, there is some time there to pursue a deeper investigation should the Napa County DA find enough compelling evidence to charge Artem in the future. But for now, nothing.
Well, not nothing. For one, the 40-year-old Garcia has already filed for divorce from Chigvintsev. They will now go through the co-parenting and custody route with their 4-year-old son Matteo. And his career on DWTS is seriously in peril, too. But there will be no criminal fallout, at least. Reactions, y’all? Share ’em (below)…
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to https://www.thehotline.org/.
[Image via Napa County Jail/Nikki Garcia/Instagram]