Artem Chigvintsev won’t be going to prison any time soon. The dancer was arrested last month in Napa Valley on accusations of inflicting corporal injury to a spouse. Following investigations into the incident that spurred the end of his marriage to Nikki Garcia, authorities have dropped the charges against the former DWTS pro.
On Tuesday, the Napa County District Attorney’s Office said Chigvintsev won’t be charged after “careful evaluation of the evidence presented.” Per Page Six, DA Allison Haley, in a press release, explained:
“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.”
She continued, “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.” Recall that on August 29, the Russian native was booked on a felony domestic violence charge. The police saw visible injuries at the arrest scene. At the time, they confirmed that the alleged victim cooperated but requested “total confidentiality.”
Artem Chigvintsev & Nikki Garcia Embroiled In Heated Divorce Battle
Although Garcia’s name wasn’t mentioned, she filed for a divorce shortly after. In the court documents, she cited the day of Chigvintsev’s arrest as the date of separation. The former WWE star requested legal and physical custody of their son 4-year-old Matteo. She also asked the court for her ex’s ability to receive spousal support. According to sources, the Total Bellas star believed her terms were fair. Hence, it came as a shock when her estranged husband opposed it.
In his response, Chigvintsev demanded for joint legal and physical custody of their son while requesting spousal support. The dancer’s audacious request has reportedly pissed off Garcia. “Nikki is absolutely furious that Artem is asking for spousal support. She’s still in shock and has been asking herself, ‘Who the hell did I marry?” the insider claimed.
