Written by Chris Cwik at YahooSports.com
Domestic abuse charges against Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes are expected to be dismissed. Reyes’ wife is not cooperating with the case, giving prosecutors no choice but to drop the charges, according to the Associated Press.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kerry Glen has already filed papers to drop the case. Glen says Reyes’ wife will not speak with prosecutors, and will not return to Maui, where the incident took place.
“The complaining witness, Mr. Reyes’ wife, is what we call an uncooperative witness,” Glen said. “At this point, I have no other avenue for prosecution.”
Reyes was arrested in October, after allegedly assaulting his wife in a hotel room. He reportedly grabbed her by the neck and pushed her into a sliding glass door. At the time, Reyes’ wife told police she had injuries on her thigh, neck and wrist. She was taken to the emergency room that night for further evaluation.
Reyes was set to begin a trial April 4, the date of the Rockies first game of the season. Reyes was placed on paid leave by Major League Baseball until the conclusion of his trial.
Despite the fact that Reyes’ charges will be dropped, he’s still subject to punishment from baseball commissioner Rob Manfred. New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman received a 30 game suspension for his role in a domestic incident at his Florida home in November. Chapman did not face criminal charges.
Given that Reyes was one of the first players to be subject to MLB’s new domestic violence policy, it was unclear how Manfred would handle the case. The policy was introduced last August, and was agreed upon by the league and Players Association.
The fact that Reyes faced charges led many to believe he would receive a hefty suspension following the conclusion of his trial.
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