Braves’ outfielder Marcell Ozuna is scheduled to appear in a Fulton County courtroom Thursday following his arrest on domestic violence charges.
Ozuna, 30, was arrested in May after Sandy Springs officers reported seeing him choke his wife, throw her against a wall and strike her with the cast on his broken fingers. Felony charges were later dropped against Ozuna, but he instead faces a pair of misdemeanor charges — family violence battery and simple assault.
Ozuna could possibly enter a plea in his case. He is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m., a month after a brief hearing in August. His attorney has said Ozuna and his wife, Genesis, are in the process of a divorce and that there were additional facts regarding the arrest, beyond the initial police statements.
The alleged incident occurred days after Ozuna was placed on the injured list after suffering two broken fingers on May 25. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported that Major League Baseball is also investigating the incident, though nothing has been announced regarding Ozuna’s status.
On May 29 at 12:26 p.m., a 911 caller requested officers at a Windsor Cove home because of an assault in progress, Sgt. Salvador Ortega, with Sandy Springs police, said at the time. When officers arrived at the home, they heard screaming from inside the home and the front door was open, Ortega said.
“Officers entered the residence through the open door and witnessed the suspect grabbing the victim by the neck and throwing her against a wall,” Ortega said in an emailed statement. “Officers were able to immediately take the suspect into custody without further incident. In addition to the strangulation attempts, the suspect also struck the victim with his arm which has a cast from a previous injury.”
Investigators said Ozuna’s wife had visible injuries but did not go to the hospital. After his arrest, Ozuna was released on $20,000 bond.
The arrest came a year after Ozuna’s wife, Genesis, was arrested after a domestic dispute.
In the shortened 2020 season, Ozuna’s offense helped lead the Braves to their third National League East title. After leading the league in homers, Ozuna was re-signed in February. The deal was for four years and $65 million, with a fifth-year team option worth $16 million, and there is a $1 million buyout. Ozuna appeared in 48 games this season and was batting .213 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs.
— Please return Thursday for updates on Ozuna’s court appearance.
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