Investigators say Braves' Marcell Ozuna threatened to kill his wife before domestic violence arrest
An arrest affidavit has revealed new details surrounding the arrest of Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna, and they paint a disturbing picture of what allegedly went down before police arrived at the scene.
Ozuna was arrested Saturday on a count of aggravated assault strangulation and misdemeanor battery-family violence charges. The charge is reportedly a felony with a minimum one year in prison and maximum of 20. MLB has also announced it will investigate Ozuna under its domestic violence policy.
Ozuna was granted a $20,000 bond on Monday, according to the Associated Press, with an order of no contact with his wife. Attorneys reportedly said in court the couple is in the process of divorce.
Affidavit: Ozuna threatened, assaulted wife during argument over cell phones
The affidavit, acquired by Atlanta's WSB-TV, claims the conflict between Ozuna and his wife, Genesis Guzman, began when he took both of her cellphones while she was in the shower and refused to give them as they argued over marital infidelity.
Ozuna allegedly threatened to kill her while his wife threatened to call 911, which she followed through on with the former All-Star's own cell phone. At that point, Ozuna allegedly left the house with the cell phones while Guzman chased after him. The affidavit claims Ozuna warned her he was “not going to hit her harder because the police were en route,” in Spanish.
Guzman then reportedly went back into the house, locked the front door and grabbed a kitchen knife while on the phone with the 911 operator. Ozuna allegedly re-entered the house through the garage and verbally abused her, while Guzman threatened to hurt him with the knife if he came closer. She told police she feared for her life because of past physical abuse.
Guzman reportedly dropped the knife and approached him to try to get the phones, which allegedly resulted in him striking her hands with the cellphones, then pushing his left forearm — which was in a cast due to fractured fingers — into her face.
The fight allegedly continued until police arrived to find Ozuna choking Guzman against the wall.
Police say that Guzman had bruises on the backs of her hands and redness on her forearm consistent with those events, as well as redness on her forehead.
Marcell Ozuna's reported side of the story
Ozuna reportedly admitted to police that he took his wife's cellphones and pushed her to the ground as the argument turned physical. He claimed the Guzman kicked him when she was one the ground, and confirmed that she had a knife when he returned to the house after exiting.
He reportedly claimed, however, that he exited the home again when she dropped the knife, at which point she followed him outside and tried to throw a garden light at him. He then allegedly followed her back into the house, where she picked up the knife again and the two resumed arguing.
Police claim Ozuna tried to change the order of events when asked to give a second statement.
Ozuna's wife has been arrested for domestic battery
This isn't the first time that Ozuna — currently in the first year of a four-year, $65 million deal with the Braves — and his wife have had a domestic incident investigated by police.
Guzman was arrested in 2020 for allegedly striking her husband in the face with a soap dish, according to the Miami Herald. It's unclear if the domestic battery charge is still pending.
The pair have three children together, and have reportedly been married for more than 10 years.
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