SALT LAKE CITY — Utah prosecutors moved to drop domestic violence charges against Olympic gold-medal skier Picabo Street after she was accused of throwing her father down the stairs and locking him in the basement of her home.

Street faced misdemeanor domestic violence and assault charges after the fight with her 76-year-old father near Park City.

Her lawyer contends that she was defending herself during the Dec. 23 incident.

Prosecutors said in court documents filed Thursday that they have learned of additional witness statements that led them to believe the case should not be handled in court. Instead, they recommend it be sent to a state office that investigates abuse of elder and vulnerable adults.

A judge has not yet signed off on the move. Street had turned down a plea deal, and a trial had been scheduled for May.

Street said she’s glad prosecutors are dropping the charges against her, according to a statement released by attorney Joe Wrona on Friday.

“When I called the police for help with my Dad last December, I expected the police to be my knights in shining armor. Instead, they came into my house, arrested me, and put me in handcuffs when I did nothing wrong,” the statement said.

Prosecutors said Street started the December fight that left cuts on Roland Street’s elbow and neck. He told police that his daughter started yelling after he hit her house with his car while trying to drive away in snowy weather and that a physical fight broke out after they went back inside.


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