On June 21, 2014, Hope Solo was arrested on two counts of domestic violence. The combative Solo had to be taken to the ground and subdued as she yelled at one booking officer, "You're such a b----. You're scared of me because you know that if the handcuffs were off, I'd kick your ass," according to arrest documents. Solo accused two jailers of having sex, called another officer a "14-year-old boy," and told the officer removing Solo's jewelry that it was worth more than he made in a year.
After a fight with her husband, former Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens, Solo appeared at her half-sister's house with wine in the cars' cup holder and on her breath, according to statements. After insults and mounting anger, Solo allegedly beat her nephew and his mother.
When Solo spoke to Good Morning America in February, Solo called herself a victim who would be vindicated when the truth became clear, but according to ESPN, Solo was never cleared. The charges were dismissed by Kirkland Municipal Court Judge Michael Lambo on procedural grounds. The city has filed an appeal with the Superior Court of Washington and oral arguments are scheduled for Sept. 11.
During an interview with espnW (also featured in ESPN), Hope tearfully discussed the June incident. "From here on out, no matter what happens, I'll forever be associated with domestic violence." The magazine wrote: "As she revisits the night and its protracted aftermath, Solo begins to cry. She feels stupid, she says, palming tears from her cheeks. For what happened, yes, but more for trusting people she now views as poisonous. 'It was hell,' she says. And then, 'I should have known.'"
Solo's half-sister, Teresa Obert, said being physically beaten by her sister was hard enough, but to hear her lie about that night and her then-17-year-old son is too much to bear. The 43-year-old mother said she hoped the case would just go away. She said she imagined Solo would apologize and everyone in the family could move on, but Obert told ESPN that the "Good Morning America" interview showed her that Solo would never admit her wrongdoing.
"I'm not going to go into all of the details, uh, but it was a scary night," Solo said to Good Morning America, according to ESPN. "I was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of my 17-year-old nephew, who is 6-foot-9, 280 pounds. I was struck over the head, and concussed pretty severely. It was a very scary night."
Obert said she was shocked when she saw the interview. "I felt like I had just been kicked in the head," she told ESPN. "She should have been happy, but then, randomly, she goes on 'Good Morning America' and lies. I was very upset. It never had anything to do with size. She has tried to make him feel small his whole life. He's not aggressive. She's a trained athlete. She's strong."
After a year, Obert said she and her son are still traumatized by that night. "We started out, you know, every time something would be in the newspaper, we'd like burn something," Obert told ESPN. "It was my son's idea and my son is -- he meditates -- he's a good boy, you know? It was his idea and we did some sage or whatever; we did, you know, aromatherapy. Believe it or not, it was super healing. And then we just continued since it felt so good to keep burning things."
Obert and her now 18-year-old son also avoid using Solo's name or even the word "hope." A two-year restraining order has been granted precluding Solo from coming within 1,000 feet of Obert and her son.
"I think it's so tragic, it's so sad," Obert said. "... And I know me going [public], this is just sealing the nail in the coffin for our relationship. I know that. And I cried about it. I've done all these different emotions but I realized if I do not stick up for my son and the truth, then I'm doing a disservice to him as a mother.
"And so the future, I know we won't be in each other's lives, you know? Because I know she is so strong-willed. She'll never tell the truth. And she'll hate me for doing this. She probably believes her story at this point. So, yeah. I guess, you know, I did mourn my sister, have gone through every emotion. It's like a death. It's worse."
