A judge near Seattle on Tuesday dismissed domestic violence assault charges against soccer superstar Hope Solo, a week before the case was set for trial.
Solo, a goalie for the U.S. women's national soccer team and the Seattle Reign professional club, had been charged with two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree assault stemming from an altercation with her half-sister and 17-year-old nephew at a party in June.
Solo did not appear at Tuesday's hearing.
The judge had agreed to let her attend a training camp. Solo's lawyer, Todd Maybrown, sought to have the charges dismissed on the grounds that the alleged victims refused to answer questions about the case.
At a hearing last week, the judge renewed an order for a deposition after Solo's nephew and hal-fsister failed to appear for interviews. Prosecutors had said the pair didn't appear because they weren't served with subpoenas and there wasn't adequate time to notify them, given the New Year's Day holiday.
Hope Solo released the following statement on her Facebook page:
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.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
KIRO
