PITTSBURGH -- Struggling to talk through a clenched jaw, the victim of alleged assault by a Pittsburgh police sergeant gave tearful testimony during a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

Lauren Maughan, 23, the ex-girlfriend of Eugene Hlavac, 41, testified that she was late Friday to pick up the couple's son from Hlavac's Greenfield home.

Maughan said words were exchanged and that's when, "He slapped me across the face with an open hand," she said. Maughan was treated for a dislocated jaw.

Maughan testified that Hlavac convinced her to fabricate a story, telling doctors she fell down the steps. She later reported the alleged incident to police after speaking with her family.

At one point, Maughan read a text message she sent to Hlavac -- "I love you and I always will and I don't want you to hurt me anymore."

Under cross examination, Hlavac's attorney suggested that Maughan came after Hlavac and he said Hlavac raised his hands in self-defense.

"He was defending himself," said attorney Phil DiLucente. "I am in support of every woman's group out there. I think it's horrible when men would do that to any woman. My client did not. I repeat it: My client did not," he said.

Police have responded to Hlavac's home before for allegations of domestic violence but no charges were ever filed.

Two years ago, Hlavac was one of three officers with domestic problems promoted despite opposition from several women's organizations.

Some of those same organizations were on hand Tuesday to monitor this latest case.

"You know he's going to enjoy a great Christmas dinner. She's going to have to drink hers through a straw. Let's remember what happened here," said Jeanne Clark of Pittsburgh NOW.

Following Tuesday's testimony, the judge ordered Hlavac to stand trial but ruled there wasn't enough evidence to support an aggravated assault charge. The charge against Hlavac was reduced to simple assault.

Hlavac has taken time off through the end of the year.

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