(KIRKLAND, Wash.) — The judge in Hope Solo’s case is delaying his decision on whether to dismiss domestic violence charges against the soccer star — and ordered Solo’s accusers, her half-sister and teenage nephew, to submit to another round of depositions.
Those depositions will include “inquiries concerning the witnesses’ use of alcohol, drugs or prescribed medicines,” Judge Michael Lambo said in Kirkland, Washington, Municipal Court on Tuesday.
Solo’s attorney, Todd Maybrown, argued that her accusers have refused to cooperate in previous rounds of questions.
“Right from the beginning, the witnesses were refusing to answer my questions when they are very relevant to the case,” Maybrown said in court.
Solo, a goalkeeper for the Seattle Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a former contestant on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. Solo is accused of attacking her relatives in a June incident.
But Solo’s nephew has changed his story, Lambo said.
“One of the witnesses is now stating that the defendant slammed his head against a cement wall 5-10 times during this event. According to the briefing, this witness made no such statement to the police during their investigation,” Lambo said.
The case is drawing national attention, as Solo is the latest of several high-profile athletes to face domestic violence charges. But unlike NFL running backs Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson, Solo’s league is allowing her to compete with her team as the case unfolds.
Lambo is expected to decide on the dismissal motion on Jan. 6. The trial is set to begin on Jan. 20.
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