Predators' Austin Watson Pleads No Contest To Domestic Assault

FRANKLIN, TN -- Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor domestic assault Tuesday after an incident with girlfriend at a Franklin gas station in June.

Watson was sentenced to three months probation and could serve up to a year in jail if he violates the terms of that probation. He must also complete a 26-week batterer invention course and an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment program. If he meets those conditions, his record could be expunged.

Watson's girlfriend, with whom he has a child, did not want to continue with the case, according to Rutherford County Assistant District Attorney Sarah Davis, but because there were witnesses to the assault, the state decided to go through with the prosecution.

Davis handled the prosecution because Williamson County District Attorney Kim Helper is married to Predators vice-president Gerry Helper and recused herself.

“We will consult and cooperate with the NHL as an investigation is conducted into this matter, and will have no further comment until the NHL’s investigation has reached its conclusion. Our priority right now is surrounding Austin ... and [his] family with the care and resources they need to heal and move forward,” the Predators said in a statement.

Franklin Police arrested Watson for domestic assault June 16 at a Shell station on Murfreesboro Road.

A passerby flagged down a Franklin Police officer, who wrote that when he arrived he saw a woman - later confirmed to be Watson's girlfriend and the mother of his child - cowering away from being shoved. The officer said that Watson and the woman were arguing about her drinking and being unable to attend a wedding, according to the arrest report, and Watson allegedly admitted to pushing her. The officer said there were red marks on her chest.

Watson, along with teammates Ryan Ellis, Mike Fisher and P.K. Subban, featured in the "Unsilence The Violence" public-awareness campaign that seeks to engage men in an effort to end domestic violence. The Nashville Predators Foundation made a $500,000 donation to the campaign run by the YWCA.

Watson, a Michigan native, had a career-high 14 goals in the 2017-18 season and added eight points in the playoffs.

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Photo via Franklin Police