The Court Case that Keeps on Going...

I thought the affair with Maxim Staviski was over and settled...I thought wrong.

According to Chris of the Xinhua News, Maxim Staviski has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years prison time for his drunk driving incident on August 5, 2007 which killed one person.

Last year, Staviski received a suspended sentence for the incident, however, the family appealed the decision to a higher Bulgarian court. That court ruled Monday that, according to Xinhua News, Staviski would have to stay in prison for 2 and 1/2 years. They also changed the amount of the original compensation -- 120,000 leva (about 85,700 U.S. dollars) to Peter's parents (up from 90,000 leva), and 150,000 leva (about 107,000 U.S. dollars) to Manuela's family (up from 80,000 leva).

Xinhua News also wrote Staviski's lawyers were disappointed by the Court's ruling, and that they were going to appeal it. They have a right to do that before the Supreme Cassation Court within 15 days.

And the Soap Opera continues...

Again!

In his final appearance before the Bulgarian Supreme Court, Maxim Staviski apologized again to the families of Peter Petrov and his girlfriend. Last summer, Maxim Staviski was driving while incredibly intoxicated and crashed his vehicle into another killing Petrov, the driver of the other vehichle, and severely injuring Petrov's girlfriend.

"I'm deeply sorry for what happened back then. I'm always informed about Manuela's (Petrov's girlfriend) condition and the progress of her treatment. Unfortunately, I can't do anything to make her stop suffering."

This is the last court appearance Maxim will have to make in connection with this case. In a previous appearance, the fines Maxim was assesed where decided upon.

Maxim Staviski is the 2007 World Figure Skating Champion in Ice Dancing with partner Albena Denkova. The two are no longer skating together.

Getting off easy!

Well it appears that the case against Maxim Staviski is settled but boy is he getting off easy! The Appellate Court in Bulgaria's coastal city of Burgas confirmed Wednesday the suspended sentence given to the ice skating champion Maxim Staviiski over involuntary manslaughter and aggravated bodily harm.

The claims and compensation that Maxim will have to pay were greatly reduced. In one case 2,000,000 (BGN) was reduced to 80,000 and in another case 500,000 reduced to 180,000.

The prosecution had filed an appeal demanding Maxim be put behind bars; that appeal was denied. Instead he'll just have to serve out a five year probation.

Talk about easy! Maxim...if you're going to booze...don't get behind the wheel! Got it?

The judge rules!

Lots of skating news coming out today! A judge has ruled in the drunk driving case involving reigning World Ice Dance Champion Maxim Staviski.

Maxim Staviski received a 2 1/2-year suspended prison sentence Wednesday for a drunken driving accident that killed a man. Staviski was found guilty of crashing his car into an oncoming vehicle in August, leaving a 23-year-old man dead and an 18-year-old woman in a coma for nearly four months. Police records showed Staviski's blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. Staviski lost his driving license for four years, will be on probation for five years, and was ordered to pay compensation totaling $127,000. The court rejected the woman's claim for $1.5 million in compensation.

I guess given this Albena and Max could return to training and continue competing, not sure if they will. They would probably receive a chilly reception from the skating community. In any case he should be thanking his lucky stars that he's not doing hard time.

To the courtroom

Bulgarian World Champion Ice Dancer Maxim Staviski's trial is set to begin January 30th in Sofia.

Maxim was charged in an accident that left a 23-year-old man dead and his 18-year-old female companion in a coma for nearly four months. Police said Staviski's blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.

In a statement to the press, Maxim stated "It is a grave tragedy. I do not want to comment. I will walk with my head down for my whole life."

Maxim along with his partner Albena Denkova won their second consecutive ice dancing title at the World Figure Skating Championships this past March in Tokyo.