Ex-Knicks, Miami Heat player Amar’e Stoudemire not prosecuted on domestic violence charge
The misdemeanor battery domestic violence charge on which former NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire was arrested in December at his Brickell Key condominium won’t be prosecuted. The case was officially closed Tuesday with a “no action” disposition at Stoudemire’s scheduled arraignment.
“No action” means the case ends without charges ever being filed by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. That’s different from “Nolle Prosequi,” which is the disposition when prosecutors file charges and they’re later dropped.
The close-out memo from Miami-Dade Assistant State Attorney Adam Schwartz to Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Division Chief Yaneth Baez said his office hasn’t been able to make contact with the alleged victim in Stoudemire’s Dec. 17 arrest, which was one of Stoudemire’s teen daughters.
READ MORE: Ex-New York Knicks, Miami Heat player Stoudemire accused of punching his daughter
“Although the State is in possession of photographs showing visible injuries to the victim, without the victim’s sworn testimony, the State does not have a good faith basis to file charges against the defendant,” Schwartz wrote.
As the girl was a minor, prosecutors sent their phone calls and subpoenas to Stoudemire’s ex-wife, Alexis Welch Stoudemire. The close-out memo says on Dec. 20 that Alexis Stoudemire “indicated (they) will come in for a conference the next day and failed to appear.”
The memo notes voice mails left on Dec. 21, Jan. 17 and Jan. 27 went unanswered.
Stoudemire, who argued his daughter’s injuries are not what would happen if she were hit by her 6-11, 255-pound father, released a statement late Tuesday night through a spokesman.
“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 said. “Fortunately, my family and most importantly, my incredible children are all doing well. My faith in the goodness we all possess has never wavered and has never been greater. My love for my family is without limits. I am appreciative of all the respect and support received from family, friends and colleagues.”
Stoudemire’s NBA career ended with the Miami Heat in 2016, 14 years after it began when the Phoenix Suns drafted him in the first round out of Cypress Creek High School in Orlando. Eight seasons with Phoenix were followed by more than four seasons with the New York Knicks and a short stint with the Dallas Mavericks. Stoudemire, a man of the Jewish faith, then went to Israel, where he played with Hapel Jerusalem, Fujian Sturgeons and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
