TV reporter charged after seriously injuring wife with flower pot: D.A.

A Los Angeles television reporter has been charged with felony domestic violence after he allegedly seriously injured his wife by throwing a flower pot at her head, authorities said.

The pot struck the woman “full force,” an L.A. County district attorney’s spokesman told the Los Angeles Times.

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FOR THE RECORD

Dec. 11, 7:20 p.m.: An earlier version of this post mistakenly attributed a quote saying the woman was struck “full force” to an LAPD spokesman.

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Carlos Zapata, a reporter with Spanish-language station KWHY-TV Channel 22 who sometimes covers crime, could face 10 years in state prison. He’s charged with two counts of injuring a spouse.

The fight in which the 51-year-old Zapata allegedly hit his wife in the head with the flower pot occurred earlier this month at the couple’s home in Sherman Oaks, prosecutors said.

After Zapata’s Dec. 3 arrest in that incident, his wife told authorities about another fight the couple had in November, which she said also ended in an attack, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Zapata’s arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 24.

According to his biography on KWHY’s website, which was no longer visible Wednesday morning, Zapata is an award-winning journalist with experience reporting in the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Late Wednesday, the station emailed a statement that said managers learned earlier in the day that Zapata was under investigation by the LAPD for domestic violence.

“It is our protocol that until this case is resolved, KWHY Channel 22 will not be issuing comments,” the statement said.

“We also take this opportunity to reiterate that domestic violence is an issue of increasing concern in our community. Because of this, our station is committed to bringing viewers important information that raises awareness of domestic violence as it affects this community and this country.”

For more news from the Los Angeles County criminal courts, follow @marisagerber