Yanni In Domestic Violence Bust

MARCH 7--Yanni, the New Age musician, is facing domestic abuse charges after allegedly tussling with his girlfriend last week in the couple's Florida home.

The 51-year-old pianist, whose given name is John Yanni Christopher, allegedly struck the woman after ordering her to move out of his house last Thursday, according to a Manalapan Police Department report.

The woman, whose name has been redacted from the report by cops, told investigators that Christopher asked her to move out during dinner and that when the pair returned home, the musician verbally abused her, calling her a "cunt" and "whore." He also allegedly told her that she was "garbage" and, as such, "should be packing her things in garbage bags."

The woman said Christopher slapped her in the face as they argued. When cops arrived, they noticed that her upper lip was swollen and split open and that there was a small amount of dried blood on her lower lip. They also noted redness on both her forearms and that she appeared visibly upset and was crying and shaking.

While Christopher denied striking the woman, he told officers that he did grab her arms to stop her from kicking him.

Christopher spent about 11 hours in the Palm Beach County jail (where the adjacent mug shot was snapped) before being released without bond. He has been ordered not to contact the alleged victim and must check in daily with court officials. (4 pages)