Domestic Violence Charges Reinstated Against Hope Solo
After a judge dismissed domestic violence charges against Hope Solo in January, an appeals court reinstated the charges today. The American goalkeeper that lead the national team to World Cup glory this past summer is accused of attacking her half-sister and nephew last year.
There is no timetable set for her trial yet, and Solo's attorney says he will appeal the decision.
No, Hope
Solo was initially charged with two counts of fourth degree domestic violence. Although she initially told officers she was the victim, her half-sister Teresa Obert had a different side of the story. She told ESPN Solo was drunk when she attacked Obert's 17-year-old son:
"She grabbed him by the head and she kept slamming him into the cement over and over again. So I came from behind her, and I pulled her over and, you know, to get her off my son. And then, once she got off, she started punching me in the face over and over again."
If convicted, Solo could face up to two years in jail and $10,000 in fines.
Going Solo
Earlier this year, a judge dismissed the charges on procedural grounds. City prosecutors appealed the decision, and a Washington state appeals court reversed the lower court's ruling. According to ESPN, a document filed to the state court's website says, "The court reverses the decision of the lower court and remands the case to the Kirkland (Washington) Municipal Court."
Solo's attorney Todd Maybrown released a statement following the reversal: "We are shocked and disappointed by the judge's ruling this morning. However, we maintain our position that the charges in this case should have never been filed, that the original trial court's dismissal of the case was correct, and we plan to file an appeal of today's decision with the Court of Appeals."
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Related Resources:
- Documents reveal new details about Hope Solo's actions last June (ESPN)
- Hope Solo Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Sister, Nephew (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)
- Hope Solo Allegedly Assaulted; Jerramy Stevens Not Charged (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)
- Hope Solo 911 Calls Released From Jerramy Stevens Fight (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)