Domestic Violence Charge Dropped Against 'K-Rod'

A domestic abuse charge filed against former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez was dismissed by a Waukesha County judge Thursday after the prosecution said it could no longer meet the burden of proof in the case.

Rodriguez, 30, was charged last month with disorderly conduct-domestic abuse, a misdemeanor, after being accused of beating his fiancé inside a Wales home after she suspected he was cheating on her.

Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to the charge and a jury trial was scheduled to begin next Tuesday.

During what was supposed to be a status hearing Thursday, Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel told the court that the state could not meet its burden of proof and would not pursue the charges, according to online court records.

Circuit Court Judge Donald J. Hassin Jr. then dismissed the case without prejudice, which means charges could be refiled, although that appears to be unlikely.

Schimel told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he thinks the fiancé and a member of the household staff who was in Rodriguez's home the night of the incident are both in Venezuela. He said neither has responded to attempted contacts by the prosecution.

Rodriguez, of Coral Springs, FL, was initially charged in connection with the Sept. 18 incident with one count of battery domestic abuse, a misdemeanor. The complaint was amended to disorderly conduct-domestic abuse.

The criminal complaint said the woman and Rodriguez had been arguing before going to bed, and he became upset and struck her on the head.

She told police her nose began to bleed after getting hit due to a history of physical abuse. The woman told police she grabbed a sweatshirt and tried to stop the bleeding, but then Rodriguez grabbed her by the hair and threw her. Once on the floor, she said Rodriguez then began kicking her and injured her left upper shoulder blade, bruised her left upper thigh and injured her left hand near her wrist, the criminal complaint said.

After the beating, she said Rodriguez dragged her to his car, the complaint said.

The former New York Mets closer joined the Brewers in 2011 and helped the team win the National League Central Division, but slumped badly in 2012 and finished with a 2-7 record and a 4.38 ERA in 78 appearances. He pitched on a one-year, $8 million contract in 2012 and became a free agent when the season ended.