Judge dismisses domestic violence charges against soccer star Hope Solo

A Kirkland judge has dismissed domestic violence charges against U.S. soccer star Hope Solo, ending a months-long legal battle, KING 5’s Chris Daniels reports.

Solo had faced two-counts of fourth-degree domestic violence for allegedly hitting her half-sister and nephew at her older sister’s Kirkland home last June.

Solo’s attorney Todd Maybrown had repeatedly asked the court to dismiss the charges, arguing she was actually the victim and the two alleged victims were uncooperative and repeatedly changed their stories.

Solo was arrested after police were called to the Kirkland home. Solo’s teenage nephew told police she was drinking and abusive at the family gathering. The University of Washington graduate – a two-time Olympic gold medalist and member of the U.S. Women’s National Team – reportedly told her nephew he was “too fat and overweight and crazy to ever be an athlete.” The teen then called Solo a name and told her to get out of the house, court documents say. Solo followed him and called him crazy, the document says.

The teen reportedly told Solo that both she and her father were crazy, prompting her to charge him, punching him in the face and tackling him.

The charging documents say when the teen’s mother tried to intervene, Solo attacked her as well. The teen reportedly tried to pull Solo off his mother and hit her over the head with a wooden broom.

Solo, 33, pleaded not guilty at the time to the gross-misdemeanor charges. She was not present in court Tuesday, but her husband, former University of Washington football player Jerramy Stevens was in attendance.

Stevens refused to speak with reporters afterwards, but Maybrown told KING 5’s Daniels the decision was a relief.

“This has been a terrible ordeal for Miss Stevens (Solo) but we’re grateful the court has dismissed the charges. If the case had been reviewed carefully at the outset, no charges would have been filed,” Maybrown said.

Solo issued the following statement Tuesday afternoon:

“Today’s decision brings closure to what has been one of the most difficult and emotionally draining times of my life. 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.

I would like to thank my legal team, the U.S. Soccer Federation, my coaches and teammates on the U.S. National Team, and the Seattle Reign organization, all of whom, under great pressure to do otherwise, chose to stand by and believe in me.

I am so grateful for the support of my husband Jerramy, my mother, grandmother and members of my extended family who surrounded me with love and reassurance each and every day. I would also like to thank my incredible fans who consistently sent positive, heartfelt messages of encouragement and kept my spirits lifted throughout this entire ordeal. I look forward to joining my team with a clear mind to train, compete, and help bring a World Cup title to the U.S. in 2015.”