Famed soccer star Hope Solo entered a not guilty plea in court today after police say she physically assaulted two relatives at a home near Seattle over the weekend.
Yahoo!Sports reports Solo was released without bail and was ordered not to have contact with the alleged victims and to not drink alcohol.
According to The Seattle Times , police were called to Solo’s sister’s residence in Kirkland, Washington because the athlete was allegedly “hitting people” and would not stop or leave the house. The report states that she struck both her sister and 17 year old nephew during a family gathering and they both suffered visible injuries.
Police report that when they arrived on the scene, they found Solo “intoxicated and upset” and she was arrested.
Solo was booked into jail for investigation of two counts of fourth degree domestic violence assault. She was held without bail in the south King County jail until she was released today.
On Saturday, Solo’s attorney, Todd Maybrown, told The Associated Press that the 32 year old soccer player
“is not guilty of any crime”
and that in fact, Solo herself was the victim of the altercation.
A native of Richland, Washington, Solo became starting goalkeeper for the U.S. Olympic Team in 2005. She has won two Olympic gold medals for the U.S. women’s national soccer team. Solo has made 152 appearances for the national team.
She also plays with the Seattle Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League. The Reign is undefeated this season. Last Saturday, Solo posted her record-tying 71st career shutout, as the U.S. team beat France 1-0 in an exhibition match in Tampa, Fla.
Solo was eliminated from “Dancing with the Stars” in 2011 following a run on the show marred by frequent disputes with pro partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy and the judging panel. Later that year, she appeared nude on one of four covers of ESPN’s “The Body Issue.”
This is not the first time Hope Solo’s family has dealt with domestic violence in recent years. In November, 2012, her then boyfriend, former Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens, was arrested for allegedly assaulting Solo. A stun gun was reportedly used to break up the altercation. Hours later, Stevens and Solo were married.
Soon afterward, Hope Solo stated that there never was an assault and that she and her new husband were happy.
CNN quotes an interview with Hope Solo before her arrest in which she says, “I have a bad rap. People look at me as selfish, outspoken. But I know who I am.”
Her next court appearance is scheduled for August 11th.
Photo via TMZ
