Hope Solo Makes Statement Regarding Dismissed Charges

Earlier this afternoon in Kirkland, WA, the fourth-degree domestic violence charges against Hope Solo (married name Stevens) were dismissed, following a months-long legal back-and-forth between defense attorney Todd Maybrown, prosecutors, and the alleged victims, Solo’s half-sister and nephew.

Judge Michael Lambo, after repeated efforts by the defense to have the charged dismissed, eventually acquiesced in light of the victims’ troublesome lack of cooperation. Solo has always purported to have acted in self-defense against her 6’8, 280-pound nephew and his mother.

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The alleged victims were ordered by the court to give additional depositions for the defense, failed to show up on several occasions, and were otherwise belligerent and uncooperative. Their testimony has also changed several times: the nephew would later claim that Solo had repeatedly smashed his head against a concrete floor, which he failed to mention to the police who arrived on the scene.

Additionally, earlier statements made by Maybrown in court indicated that the victims had retained outside counsel for a possible related civil suit, which tainted the sanctity of their testimony in the eyes of the defense.

The all-time US shutout leader made the following statement on her public Facebook page about the dismissal of the charges:

"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."

Immediately following her June 21st arrest, she sat out two games for Seattle, replaced by backup Haley Kopmeyer. Remarks by Maybrown in past proceedings have indicated that she sustained a concussion during the argument, when her nephew admitted to striking her over the head with a broom. The broom, which would have been evidence in the criminal proceedings, seems to have been destroyed by the alleged victim.

Solo, for her part, has remained quiet on the incident, save maintaining her innocence and her trust in the legal process. She did not return for Seattle until the July 2nd matchup with the Western New York Flash.

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Though the situations are obviously different, some things in the course of events eerily mirror a previous domestic violence incident involving Solo. Police were called to her Washington home in November 2012 after a 911 call made by her brother, Marcus Solo, and subsequent police reports indicated that some sort of alcohol-fueled argument had taken place. Solo’s husband, Jeremy Stevens was arrested in the incident, but later released for lack of evidence and lack of coöperation by those involved.

As alluded to in Solo’s remarks, US Soccer and the Seattle Reign both declined to punish or suspend Solo, pending the outcome of the trial. Now that a trial has been avoided, it’s unlikely that Solo will be reprimanded in any way by either organization. Hopefully, the only mentions we see of Hope Solo in the news will pertain to her on-field performance leading up to the World Cup.

Next: Jozy Altidore Headed To Toronto FC

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