Injunction dismissed against ex-Ray Dukes

TAMPA -- A Hillsborough judge dismissed the latest domestic violence injunction against ex-Rays player Elijah Dukes after his accuser failed to show up for a court hearing today.

Amanda E. Reese, 23, got a temporary protective order Dec. 10 after accusing Dukes of sending threatening text messages and making harassing phone calls.

Hillsborough County Judge Raul "Sonny" Palomino was supposed to consider today whether to grant Reese protection for a year. Dukes, 23, attended the hearing, planning to contest the allegations. Reese didn't appear.

According to Dukes' attorney, Grady Irvin, Dukes had asked Reese to watch his car and home while he was playing baseball in the Dominican Republic this fall. When Dukes decided to discontinue that plan, his car disappeared. Also missing from his home were Christmas gifts for his daughter, Irvin said.

The car eventually was located, but the stereo equipment was gone, Irvin said.

"Elijah’s been trying to move on with his life, and quite frankly thought that was somebody that he could entrust his property with," Irvin said. "One of the things I tell Elijah is that he’s got to realize that he’s a target."

The attorney said he was pleased with the judge's decision to dismiss the protective order, which Irvin said was "replete with false allegations."

His client, he said, is looking forward to a fresh start with the Washington Nationals after being traded recently by the Rays.

- Colleen Jenkins, Times staff writer