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Domestic Violence Charges Against Former NBA Star Amar’e Stoudemire Dismissed
The former New York Knicks athlete was accused of punching and slapping his teen daughter, who prosecutors say did not cooperate in their investigation.
Former New York Knicks player Amar'e Stoudemire will not face prosecution for an alleged domestic violence incident against his daughter.
Stoudemire, 40, was charged on Dec. 18 with misdemeanor battery after his teenage daughter claimed he punched and slapped her at his Miami condo for being “disrespectful” toward her grandmother.
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However, on Tuesday, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office said they were dropping the charges "due to the failure of the victim to cooperate in the prosecution of the criminal case,” according to CBS Miami affiliate WFOR-TV.
Stoudemire released a statement on his Twitter page in light of the recent news.
“A little over a month ago, my family’s world was turned upside down as I faced allegations that we all knew to be untrue — which I instantly and publicly denied,” Stoudemire stated, in part. “Today, I am grateful after a full investigation, all charges were dismissed."
Stoudemire’s defense attorney, Alexander Fox, also chimed in following the state’s decision, as reported by TMZ.
“After a full investigation, the case was dropped at failing to prove false allegations,” said Fox. “The court’s vindication of Mr. Stoudemire underscores who he is and always has been — a person of faith and integrity, dedicated to his family and community.”
Stoudemire was accused of punching his daughter in the jaw and repeatedly slapping the minor until she drew blood at their Brickell-area home on the evening of Dec. 17. It was not clear from arrest records cited by the Miami Herald whether the victim was Stoudemire’s 14- or 17-year-old daughter.
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The teen allegedly photographed her injuries and sent the evidence to her mother, according to the arrest report.
Stoudemire vehemently denied the allegations, though he allegedly admitted to police that the teen “received a whooping from him for being disrespectful and a liar,” according to the arrest report.
Stoudemire was booked, then released from jail the following day.
“Over the last 24 hours, an incident at my family home led to my being charged with assaulting my daughter,” Stoudemire posted on Twitter soon after his release. “It is an allegation based on a report that does not square with the facts.”
The alleged incident happened at the start of Hanukkah, promoting the basketball player to cite his Jewish faith when calling the allegations “groundless,” claiming, “I could never see myself assaulting any person, especially my children.”
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He continued to refer to his faith and family on Tuesday when the state decided not to pursue criminal charges.
“Fortunately, my family and, most importantly, my incredible children are doing well. My faith in the goodness we all possess has never wavered and has never been greater,” Stoudemire posted on Twitter. “My love for my family is without limits.”
He thanked his relatives, friends, and colleagues for their “respect and support.”
Stoudemire was drafted from Cypress Creek High School in Orlando in 2002 to join the Phoenix Suns and was soon named NBA’s Rookie of the Year. He also played for the New York Knicks from 2010 to 2015 as a power forward before playing for the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat, winning All-NBA five times during his career.
He continued his basketball career in Israel following his 2016 retirement from the NBA.
He graduated from the University of Miami with an MBA just one day before the alleged attack for which he was previously charged.
Stoudemire says, “Now that this chapter is closed, I look forward to all the great moments ahead with my family.”
