Hope Solo ‘happy and relieved’ after domestic violence charges dismissed

A Washington state municipal court dismissed a pair of domestic violence charges against Hope Solo on Tuesday, ending an ugly affair that started when the soccer star was accused of attacking her nephew and half-sister last year.

A Kirkland, Wash., municipal judge dismissed the charges with prejudice around 1 p.m., according to court supervisor Erin Wheeler.

Solo’s attorney, Todd Maybrown, filed a motion to dismiss, which was granted on Monday, according to Wheeler.

“From the beginning, I’ve stated that Hope was the victim of an assault in this case,” Maybrown said in a statement. “With a careful review of the facts surrounding these matters, it is clear that Hope never should have faced charges in the first place.”

Solo, the goalie for the U.S. women’s soccer team, was originally scheduled to face trial on Jan. 20, nearly three months after the clash between the soccer star and her relatives at her half-sister’s Kirkland home.

According to court documents, Solo’s nephew told police his aunt had been drinking and told him he was “too fat and overweight and crazy to ever be an athlete.”

The comment sparked an argument and Solo punched her nephew in the face and tackled him, according to court documents. Solo also allegedly attacked the boy’s mother after she tried to intervene.

Court records also show that Solo’s nephew was accused of breaking a broom over his aunt’s head during the fight. Maybrown has long argued that Solo was merely defending herself.

Solo was not suspended by the Seattle Reign or the women’s national team after the charges were filed, and she will help lead the U.S. at the Women’s World Cup in Canada in June.

“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 on Monday. “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.”

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