Photo Credit: Drew Hallowell/Getty ImageHope
Following her domestic violence arrest, U.S. women’s soccer team goalie Hope Solo pleads not guilty in court on Monday. Solo was told to have zero contact with the victims and to stay away from alcohol.
Her lawyer, Todd Maybrown, said she was a victim in the altercation. Solo did not speak in court except to answer the judge’s questions. During the plea, Maybrown argued against the city of Kirkland’s request for bail, pointing out that Solo does not have a criminal history and her status as a public figure makes it unlikely that she would not appear when called back to court.
Solo’s 17-year-old nephew told the police she was upset and appeared to have been drinking when she arrived at the family gathering. She and her nephew got into a fist fight after arguing about his acting aspirations and according to court documents she called him crazy and fat. When the boy’s mother tried to break up the confrontation, Solo punched her in the face, then the nephew broke a broom over Solo’s head and then pointed a broken BB gun at her and tried to get her to leave, the documents stated.
“Hope is not guilty of any crime,” Maybrown said in an email to The Associated Press on Saturday. “In fact, our investigation reveals that Hope was assaulted and injured during this unfortunate incident. We look forward to the opportunity to present the true facts in court and to having this matter behind Hope very soon.”
Hope’s husband, former Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens, was in the court room with her but denied any attention from the media.
The 32-year-old has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women’s national team and also plays with the Seattle Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League. Both teams said they were aware of the situation but did not have any further comment.
Solo most recently appeared in goal for the U.S. women’s team in an exhibition against France on June 14 in Tampa, Florida. She did not appear in the team’s second match against France on Thursday night because of a “family commitment” the team said. Ashlyn Harris started in Solo’s place for the 2-all draw.
Solo’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 11.
