Judge dismisses charges against Hope Solo in abuse case

Staff reports | USA TODAY Sports

A judge dismissed domestic violence charges against Hope Solo at a hearing in Kirkland, Wash., on Tuesday.

Solo was at camp with the U.S. women's national team in Carson, Calif., preparing for this summer's World Cup. Her husband, Jerramy Stevens, attended the hearing.

The case was scheduled to go to trial next week.

"Today's decision brings closure to what has been one of the most difficult and emotionally draining times of my life," Solo said in a statement. "I always had faith that once the facts of the case were presented, I would be cleared of all charges and I am so happy and relieved to finally have it all behind me."

She thanked her legal team, the U.S. Soccer Federation and her coaches and teammates on the U.S. and Seattle Reign teams, "all of whom, under great pressure to do otherwise, chose to stand by and believe in me," she said.

Solo asked last month that two counts of fourth-degree assault, stemming from a June 21 altercation with her sister and 17-year-old nephew, be dropped because her attorney hadn't been able to interview the alleged victims.

Todd Maybrown, Solo's attorney, told the court Tuesday that the alleged victims have failed repeatedly to appear for a court ordered interview. He also said they have changed their stories about the night in question.

According to documents obtained by the Seattle Times, Solo charged her nephew, punched him in the face and tackled him. When the teen's mother tried to intervene, Solo attacked her as well. When police arrived, the nephew's T-shirt was torn, he had scratch marks on his arms and was bleeding from a cut on his ear.

But Maybrown said at the November hearing that Solo had acted in self-defense after her nephew got angry and began hitting her with a broom handle. The attorney expanded on that in the motion to dismiss, saying that the 6-foot-9 and 280-pound 17-year-old is "much larger" than the 5-foot-9 Solo.

Maybrown also claimed that Solo was hit with so much force the broom handle broke and she suffered a concussion.

Chris Daniels from KING 5 News contributed to this report.