A prosecutor in Hawaii has dropped charges against Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes following allegations of domestic violence against his wife in October of 2015.
Reyes’ wife stopped cooperating with investigators, according to prosecutor Kerry Glen. The order to drop the charges was filed March 30.
“I filed an order dismissing the single charge of Abuse of a Family or Household Member without prejudice,” Glen told Denver7 in a statement.
He also said a dismissal without prejudice means charges can still be filed within a two-year window if Reyes’ wife chooses to cooperate at a later date.
The 911 tapes from employees at the Four Seasons hotel in Maui indicate Reyes’ wife was injured and treated by medics in October.
“It’s a report of that she might have got hit, physical contact,” said the hotel employee on the tapes. “They are separated, she has injuries on her left leg and some scratches on her neck.”
A domestic violence victim who stops cooperating with investigators and stays with her attacker isn’t something new for Kathy Redmond, founder of the National Coalition Against Violent Athletes.
"To have a victim drop out of a prosecution is not surprising and it's not uncommon, their reasons are valid, their reasons should be understood," said Redmond.
Redmond added that in this particular situation, citizenship, finances and cultural implications may all play a role.
But safety is of paramount concern for Reyes’ wife, Redmond said.
“The fear factor is, has this happened before, which none of us know but, it normally has happened before and just escalated and then, will it escalate again?” asked Redmond.
Denver7 called Jose Reyes’ Hawaii attorney for comment, but didn’t receive a response.
A Major League Baseball spokesperson had the following to say when also contacted for comment:
“He [Reyes] remains on administrative leave until the Commissioner completes his investigation and imposes any discipline."
The Colorado Rockies also declined to comment for this story, simply referring to the statement released by the Major League Baseball.
Still, with photos, a statement and a medical exam by paramedics, Redmond is curious why the case isn’t prosecutable.
“You do have to ask the question, 'What else? What else do they need in order to prosecute this?' She's only a witness, this is the state's charge," said Redmond.
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