Kobe Bryant charged with sexual assault

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-bryant-arrested,0,3031285.story?coll=sns-newsnation-headlines
Kobe Bryant charged with sexual assault

By COLLEEN SLEVIN
Associated Press Writer
Posted July 18 2003, 5:14 PM EDT

EAGLE, Colo. -- Kobe Bryant was charged Friday with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in a case that is bound to tarnish the career of the NBA superstar.

The 24-year-old Bryant faces four years to life in prison if convicted on the single felony count, Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert told reporters during a news conference.

The woman worked the front desk at the resort where Bryant was staying.

Bryant's attorney, Pamela Mackey, has scheduled a news conference at 9 p.m. EDT at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

(MORE)
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-bryant-arrested,0,3031285.story?coll=sns-newsnation-headlines


imo This woman is lying!

I guess we probably won't be hearing about Dr. David Kelly's mysterious death on CNN tonight....

:mad:

interesting timing, eh?

Think back to when this first came out-- I believe it was the same weekend as the Wilson story. And the Sheriff's dept. insisted on filing the charges before the DA could look over the case. Something doesn't seem right. However, I am going to stop there being that I got a CRAZY phone call at 12:25 a.m. last night with someone on the other end telling me "You know too much!" They don't have to tell me twice!

do you really think that the * regime set this guy up several weeks ago and then made the local AG file charges today just to manipulate the already compliant whore media into not broadcasting negative info about Bush* ?

that is not a realistic scenario.

he's Mr. Bigshot.

I guess there just might be a case. Although "sexual assault" is a very vague charge. Was it rape? Did he fondle her? Why do I get the feeling that this time, maybe an athlete may not get off as easy? Who would have thought Kobe Bryant of all people.

He's a pretty good guy -- unless you're in Portland -- I AM -- but putting that aside...he's a pretty decent guy. Has never been in any trouble. Seems to really love his wife and NEW BABY... I just don't see it. I hope it was at a party or something and there were other people there to shed some light on what happened.

Cause if he's not guilty.......what a travesty!

If he is, I don't want him getting away with it.

Big bummer.

was reported on the radio (NPR) the allegation is serious.

best wait for a jury the hear the facts and decide.

and sex with the alleged victim.

I don't know if he assaulted this woman or not. But if he had not been cheating on his wife none of this would be an issue.

sheesh......

Kobe was just a teen when Bill Clinton was the President. Obvioulsy a terrible influence on him. Sarcasm off. Though seriously, would you be surprised if you heard that argument.

.....that it was a mistake on his part but that they will deal with that as a couple and she'd be behind him 100%!! That he did have sex with her but the allegations of assault are false!

but I know she is thinking if only he had kept his penis in his pants we wouldn't be going through this.

or he would not persue it. It is extremely hard to face a star status figure as to his wife he married her while she was still in High school and she aint to much older now. He has a thing for young women it seems. They were very specific in the charges that she was physically forced. I think hes guilty as the day is long.

and his wife is 21. he has a thing for young women because he is young.

Is the BFEE in with the choice to procecute?

I could not care less about this "summer story".. Pro athletes have "had their way with" many a young girl.. Young girls have "accused" pro athletes of things that were NOT done.. Who knows?? The two of them ..

I say black out all coverage.. let a jury decide..:eyes:..

No beliefs will be changed by all the breathless questions asked of the authorities.. I wish they would put out a gag order NOW..



oops.. is that a SHARKKKKKKKKK ?????

and BTW..Laci is still dead..film at 11..

How about ESPN covering this?? and Court TV.. and E... let's not clog up the regular news with this ...please !!!!!

Another athlete/celebrity "news story" belongs on cable channels that dedicate their time an energy on these kind of issues. Real news agencies ought to be reporting on the events that really and directly affect our lives, e.g., deficit spending, truth and openess of government, WMD's that real and an imminent threat to us, terrorism and the steps we are taking to prevent it, little things like that.

Whether it is sports, political, economic, tragedy or whatever related.

Like it or not, this is a newsworthy story.

whoring in Thailand while married.

THAT is newsworthy, and yet it's not a daily feature of the cable news shows, in fact it's entirely absent there.

I do like to watch sports. But that is as far as it goes, to get into thier lifes and follow them like they are a god is stupid.

The prosecutor said that he consulted with other prosecutors from all over the state and they felt the physical evidence was solid. The physical evidence in sexual assault cases usually consist of bruising and tearing in the vaginal area which indicates forceable entry.

The prosecutor knows who Kobe is, and his stature. He also knows that Kobe will get the best defensive attorneys in the country.

With all that going for Kobe, and against the state, I'm going to have to say it doesn't look good for Kobe if they think they can take him on and win.

He admitted to sex= adultery..loss of "family values type" endorsements

His "reputation" is scarred, even if he "wins"...

If he is not found guilty, she will sue in civil court and slam him for $$$$$$...

He should have thought with his "other" brain...

Rich/powerful/well-known men need to be extra careful.. He was stupid, and now he will pay dearly...

Kobe is a free agent after next season.

If he's found not guilty, his ability to command a premium contract is gone.

I feel sorry for his new wife and child.

and I hope it's not in HIS name... It's gonna be in his "victim"'s & his lawyer's names soon..

I feel sorry for the wife too, but she signed on , knowing that he was a high-profile person..

i can see it coming.

I hope she's got support from friends/family if she needs it.

He was living a lie about family values and it is now exposed. What you see now is the real values. As for the sexual assault...it has yet to be seen.

Your real personality is not what you appear but how you are.

"was living a lie about family values and it is now exposed"

What a crock. When did Kobe ever go around prosletyzing about being "Mr. Family Values"? Is he out thumping Bibles, or badmouthing other athletes for their sexual transgressions? Not that I've ever seen. Sure, he's talked bout being a proud father, and that he loves his wife, etc, but he is nowhere near the hypocrite of a Jim Baker, Jimmy Swaggart, Bob Packwood, Newt Gingrich, or any of that ilk.

People make mistakes, dave. Guys lose it sometimes, and the dick takes over their thinking. It doesn't mean that the other 99.9% of the time, the person isn't a family man who loves his wife and kids.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that I don't believe this crap about a sex assault for ONE SECOND.

First off, just because this DA is going to go forward with charges doesn't mean he's necessarily got all THAT strong a case against Kobe. There are plenty of ambitious prosecutors out there that would indict a Kobe Bryant at the drop of a hat, even if they thought they had only a small chance to get a conviction. You ever hear the expression "There's no such thing as bad publicity"? Even if the DA loses the case, his profile is gonna be raised HUGELY. And BECAUSE Kobe is so rich, will have himself a Johnnie Cochran, etc, the DA can lose the case without really looking that bad to the people he's trying to impress. I mean, who REALLY expects Eagle County, CO, to have the kind of resources needed to get a conviction on a person of Kobe's stature on a crime that's mostly He-Said/She-Said? Think of the kind of character witnesses that Kobe will be able to trot up onto the stand. Think of Kobe's spotless reputation. The guy is a bona-fide hero in the eyes of millions. I say if a Cochran can get a OJ Simpson off on a murder charge, someone can damn sure get a Kobe Bryant off on a rape charge, guilty or not. The DA has everything to gain, and almost nothing to lose in this case, assuming this woman is at least going to stick by her story no matter what.

Again, I don't believe he raped this woman. Kobe Bryant could literally walk down any street in LA and get laid at the drop of a hat. He's rich, great looking, and a mega-star in a city full of super-hotties who worship rich mega-stars. This whole thing just makes zero sense. He's never been accused of anything remotely like this, nor of doing anything illegal, as far as I know. Even if this woman had a bunch of bruises, or whatever they use to determine whether someone was forced into sex, there is still the possibility that it was all a part of some kinky sex game that they were into. It is still going to come down to he-said/she said, and I just don't see Eagle County bringing down a Kobe Bryant on something like this. Especially when everybody knows that the majority of times claims like this are made (unless Mike Tyson is involved, of course), it turns out to be setup for money.

That said, I just want to clarify that I consider rape to be an extremely serious crime, and do not mean to downplay it. IF he IS guilty, I want to see justice served. He deserves to go to jail. Period. I just do not believe he's guilty. It's gonna have to be proven to me beyond reasonable doubt, thats for sure. For right now, I ain't buying it ...

That would be all the times when he wasn't having sex with someone other than his wife. Right?

Sorry, what you do is what you are. I ahd to put up with this lie all during the Clinton era. NO, REAL family men do NOT have affairs. Men who REALLY love their wives do NOT cheat on them.

If the woman never had intercourse before, there would very normally
be some slight bruising and tearing. This often happens on the
"wedding night." Doesn't prove that the assault was forceful.
May only prove that the couple involved was "enthusiastic" when
the act occurred.

Don't get me wrong. I think that Bryant is both a fool and a jerk.
What an ass--it is clear that adultery was committed. What an idiot
to think that he was even entitled to anything this woman offered.

But I do believe that this woman is lying. I think that she knew
who he was and determined to take advantage of him. After all,
its like "hitting the lottery" for her. Watch for the subsequent
lawsuits, book deals, nude photos, etc. She'll be telling the sordid story to any fool willing to pay for it. Like Carville said in his famous "drag a $100 bill" statement. Some women will do absolutely anything for money and a chance at their "15 minutes of fame." Trust me--we will be hearing from this "victim" ad nauseum.

The real victim here was Bryant's wife. Think of her humiliation!

Bryant is just another stupid fool who let his superstar status
go to his head. Actually, I hope that he does get prison time.
This will be the most expensive sex he's ever had.
That would go pretty far toward scaring all of those million
dollar men playing sports out there into keeping it zipped up
unless they are with their wives.

Or better yet, that fucking asshole Rick Fox??

Kobe was the one guy on the Lakers I had any respect for, because he wasn't a total shithead. Or so I thought... :evilfrown:

I have no idea what to think here... Mainly, because I don't have all the details.

He made a huge mistake with that girl in one form or another... one he will need to deal with his wife over (and the victim if so proven).

He's gonna lose either way - in court if he is convicted, and in public opinion no matter what.


I just don't get it.... As a long time Laker fan, I am very disappointed in him.

It doesn't immediately pass the smell test for me, can't say why.

I don't think my psyche can comprehend him being so opposite of how I saw him.


The adultery doesn't shock me - if it was forced - that floors me.

If so, he would not have had time for much of a "get to know you" with the woman.. If the other guests complained about a "disturbance", that's troubling to me.. Also if she was at the front desk working, it's not like they had a date.. According to what I heard, he called the desk and she went to his room..

His celebrity status, probably got immediate attention, so the time frame thing is odd..

I just hope the judge orders a gag order..

Rich guys have been raping women since there was money/women.. Sometimes they get away with it...sometimes they don't..

Poor women have been extorting money for sex forever.. sometimes it works...sometimes it does not..


I am tired of this story already.. :)

actually, since the files have been sealed who the hell really knows anything.

I'm just saying I don't know. I can't make a call when I don't have the facts and it may never be known for sure if it's a he said, she said thing.

If he did this, of course he should not get away with it. If she is wanting some money or fame, she shoudln't get away with that either.

all of it remains to be seen..

Is his image. And since this all started coming out, many sports commentators have said that, in reality, nobody knows Kobe. He doesn't hang out with his teammates, he's very private, he doesn't go to parties. So all we know about Kobe is the PR face he's shown us.

I guess he really did want to be like Mike. From what I gather, though, Mike's affairs were consensual.

came to Michael's hotel rooms? Or, was American Idol around then? Mike is about 16 years older than Kobe, right? Any idea what Mike was doing at 24 years old? 23? 22? 21? 20? 19? 18? 17?

And wasn't it Mike who named Kobe "Air Apparent," aka "Heir Apparent" to Michaels "Air Jordan." Kobe didn't do that.

And, re: sports commentators, didn't you *purs fans say the sports commentators don't know what they're talking about when they labeled the *purs the "weakest champions ever?"

Let's not quote sports commentators as Gods of Info when you won't acknowledge the reality of the criticism they had recently about the weakest champions ever - the *purs.

You really are obsessed, aren't you? Kind of sad, actually.

So, anyone who was rejected by American Idol is automatically assumed to be a liar for the rest of their lives, is that your position?

Doesn't matter who dubbed Kobe the "Air Apparent", he's clearly bought into it.

And the sports commentators are talking about things only they can know, i.e. what they actually know.

The rest of your post is nothing but sour grapes from a Lakerfan.

You never did answer my questions in the Lounge.
Why is there an asterisk after the Spurs' championships in your view (since there isn't one officially)?

And, can you name a playoff season in the last 5 that didn't feature injuries to other teams in the playoffs?

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Get over it, the Lakers lost. Too bad, I guess, but your slamming of them is tiresome. I like my Spurs, I like their image and like your Lakers of other years they did what it took to win. There really is no call to go on about them here. This is about Kobe and no one has the facts and any speculation is just that.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20030713/ts_nm/nba_bryant_dc_2

"When everything comes clean, it will all be fine, you'll see," Bryant told the newspaper in what it described as a brief telephone interview...

"But you guys know me, I shouldn't have to say anything," Bryant told the newspaper. "You know I would never do anything like that."...

"Man there's a lot of crazy stories out there," he said.

He admitted to the adultery. He's got everything it takes to defend himself. I'm sick of it on every channel. Nothing Kobe does or doesn't do will affect the greater issues we're facing in this country. Leave him to his karma.

I could care less.

There is an INFINITE number of vastly more important topics to put in the headlines and discuss on all the shows.

And that makes this big news. Is it a distraction? Yes. Next time he should try having sex with his wife.

Keep it in the courtroom, not on the front pages.

Next time the repukes should try sex with their wives instead of projecting their misdeeds on others.

I just have one word to say to this - "Scarborough".

The repukes are taking page after page out of Hitler's youth corps handbook, and they decide THIS is important.

Just like OJ - who cares?

Much of America cares about this story -- not because the media tell them so, but because the media acknowledge that is what the public wants. And, btw, the people also cared about OJ.

But I think he understands the larger story in all this, which is that something is terribly wrong with our celebrity obsessed culture. A person that was not legimately elected took us for a preventive (not even pre-EMPTIVE - there was nothing to preempt) war based on lies and deciet and we have to care about some basketball player raping someone? Now I feel bad for Kobe's wife and kids and the victim (if she is a victim), but rape and murder and violence is all to common in our society. This is bullshit, and the republikkkan media can now protect Bush, Cheney, et al. and their own uncredible asses with useless crap like this.

Honest to God, the media has proven themselves traiterous.

Based solely upon eyes/body language, he's lying as much as Condi Rice did last weekend.

Wow. You REALLY gotta be a serious bullshitter to be placed in the same league as Condi Rice, that's for sure ;)

I didn't see this PC, wish I had now. How was he acting, exactly, Walt? I really cannot believe he could be capable of something like this... How terribly disillusioning. You think you know somebody, and ...

you look into his eyes, and YOU know the truth? Sounds like the justice system in Colorado for God's sake and Bu*sh with Putin for God's sake. Yikes! How creepy!

So Kobe, a 24 year old basketball star, told lies that led thousands of people to their DEATHS, like Condi did?????????? hUH????

By the way, the body language of Kobe being (at the Press Conference) with his wife, said more than anything else Kobe had to say.

Oh, and by the way, Kobe admitted to fucking someone,,,,,has Condi??????

Geez, let's not mix the political death squads with a 24 year old basketball star.

Pshaw.

which she probably is considering she tried out for American Idol, it's another "her word against his." Unless the defense can show that she is desperate, devious, or a chronic liar, a Colorado jury will likely support her and together they will reel in big bucks and publicity (for Colorado) and secretly delight a lot of NBA owners, coaches, and fans.

Didn't Wilt Chamberlain used to brag that he'd had thousands?

it's been a while since we wasted a summer pondering shark bites (what no sharks this year?) or OJ or Condit. So I guess unfortuneatly for Koby he's the one for 2003.

Of course, the TV media will waste plenty of time on this one and give * a lucky break by not talking about Iraq or WMD as much as they would have.

I must say this: The woman is always lying isn't she?

I am a rape survivor... I hate high profile rape cases for this very reason. I get the paper. It is front page news. He gets a full second page as well. That headline reads I AM INNOCENT. And I thought to myself where is her page? Where is the alleged victim's page? With her Picture and an equally as large a headline saying above her picture, I AM INNOCENT or more contravercially HE IS GUILTY?

The first thing that comes to mind is...well.. the case hasn't been tried yet. We do not know if he is guilty yet. This is true. So why is he given two full pages in the mainstream to begin his smear campaign stating his innocence which only serves to libel her accusation and imply she is guilty of lying?

Rape is a felony. An incomprehensible invasion of trust. A violation of mind body and spirit. Incident of Rape has increased in a decades time not decreased. I believe it stands now at 1 in 4 women, according to Rape Crisis Center statistics not county statistics. Still woman do not come forward and if they do sometimes they can not be convinced to press charges. The crisis centers absorp all victims not just those that press charges.

It is an incomprensible violation which changes one's life in drastic ways. Trauma can follow upward to 10 or more years after the original violation, depending on the weapon or the beating or the severity of the force and all the other violations or counts of rape besides the penetration. Those other aspects of the horror even without obvious or outward physcial signs of a struggle that no one generally considers.

The fact is, in the case of those of us who are not famous, who's rapists were not famous; the DA will not even take a rape case unless they feel they can win it. They made that very clear to me when I brought charges. In higher profile cases can make for a corruption of this general rule and the DA may decide to put his career before the crimes he decides to prosecute. At the same time a career savvy DA cam also jeopardize his career if he decides to prosecute based on weak evidence and the word of a girl who is lying, especially if it is found out that she IS lying.

Now I am not saying this girl is telling the truth. I could not possibly know that. Perhaps why I wonder it is so often presumed the alleged rapist is being falsely accused even prior to a trial? If she is lying, I find that just as offensive. I say IF a woman is found to be falsely accusing an alleged rapist, than she should do his time. False accusations should be considered as felonious as down the line those woman that ARE lying only hurt the chances of another woman who is telling the truth to get a conviction. Women that are lying should be punished severely. Than perhaps will come the day when a high profile man is accused of rape the first and foremost immediate knee jerk response will not be THIS WOMAN IS LYING.

Just the fact that I will be subjected to another celebrity court case in the face of these forged documents and America post 9/11 is reason enough to be disgusted by the charade they are once again going to make of a rape trial in the new millenium. To say nothing of all the thoughtful small talk a case of this nature generally inspires. Some things just never change.

sorry, I see you only have two posts, and I'm assuming you're not really a new poster, just a seasoned poster with a *new* alias. Forgive me if I'm wrong.

First, you speak of trust. How can anyone go to the hotel room of a stranger that you met in a hotel lobby and there be any trust? What does a woman expect going to the room of a hotel guest at close to midnight, after her work shift ended, knowing he's a married man?

you got hung up on "trust"

I wasn't speaking specific to this case. I mean the crime in general. Survivors tend to disconnect and trust becomes a big issue.

And quite frankly trust wasn't the main thrust of my point. I allude to my disgust when before the case is tried the alleged rapist is allowed print space to proclaim his innocence with no equal time to the victim to proclaim hers.

I see you are trying her already based upon what you believe you know about a moment between two people that you do not know, and you were not even there. Knee jerk responding to what perhaps might be Kobe's defense as already printed in the news at the omission of hers. He has been given much air time. She has not. I have watched a number of high profile cases over the years. This is the general fare for cases of this nature: What does a woman expect?

I can not waste time debating: What does a woman expect. I would assume two adults in a hotel room would expect to have sex, but I do not know the particulars of this case. I was not in her mind at the time. I do not know what she expected, nor what prefaced the retreat into the hotel room. I was not there. She is a young girl, perhaps ignorantly naive. Last I looked that wasn't a felony. Something might have changed in one moment and she changed her mind. I guess in your book she is not allowed to do that.

Apparently, you missed the paragraph dedicated to the equal anger I would feel if she is found to be lying. As I stated she should be convicted of felony and do the time Kobe is looking at if he is proven guilty. Rape is endemic to out society. A woman lying does those who have actually survived a crime of this nature a disservice.

A woman lying only serves to trivialize what is a violation in that her lie only encourages myopic statements the likes of: what did she expect. A woman lying only serves to reinforce all the negative misogynistic myths. This only serves to set us back to the day when prosecuting a rapist was unheard of and the woman was guilty no matter what the actual circumstances were. The proof of this resides in your ignorant and archaic comment. Prior to the case going to court you have already tried her havent you?

At present, however, I do not know she is lying. I was not there and the case has not been tried yet. Like I said in my post, high profile rape cases tend to cause me stress. I find in the past I was particularly at odds with the high minded "small talk" or "party talk" cases of this nature generally inspire. You will forgive me if I can not further indulge yours.

What is it you think I am bullshiting about? Better yet is this gut response of yours a consequence of "thinking"?

that anyone would question your story. Stick around, its usually better than this. If you are not new, who cares? I can't blame you if you chose to use a new screen name. Best of luck.

with new screen names? I just got here and rolled my eyes over once again having to stumble across Kobe Bryant on what is a political board. Two people now have made mention of new screen names? I have been participating on different boards for almost a year now. I thought I would try this board. What is up with the new screen name questions? I am confused.

Best of luck? I need luck to participate on a forum?

statement that you were a rape survivor. If you used a different screen name to post because of that, I have no problem. I am not endorsing multiple screen names. You certainly didn't need to be called as a liar simply because of a low post count. I found that a pretty low tactic when the you usedsomething deeply personal to frame our argument that we shouldn't blame the victim.
I meant Best of luck as encouragement while you face the daily news of this Kobe debacle.
Sorry if it wasn't apparent, I was on your side and thought the other poster was out of line.

Welcome aboard.

I mean I understand... well... my screen name is not my actual name so it provides me with the kind of anonymity to speak out on this without risking becoming the pariah rape stigma can make one... thanks for the welcome aboard!

how original. I know I am sure distracted... BTW, who the f**k is Kobe Bryant anyway?

http://www.ucc.org/jwm/wfj021102.htm
"Black History is America's History" by Bernice Powell Jackson 11 Feb 02/ ... Often whole towns attended the lynchings, with parents bringing their children and picnic baskets (some say that is where the term picnic came from -- picking a to lynch). ...


Distraction made to order! From the cabal that's big on circuses, tightfisted and rather occasional with any bread after. Rich black + pretty wife + criminal sex. It's showtime.

If Mr and Mrs KB and their troubles hadn't crested this weekend, would they have to've been invented?

This is not being widely reported, but my hometown newspaper has a reporter in Colorado who has dug up the fact that the "victim" attempted sucide a few weeks ago. That puts a whole different light on things, if true.

why is that?

that it would be very hard to stick with that dishonesty over time. Hence the attempted suicide due to severe internal conflict. I have wondered if it was consensual, but then she got into trouble at home and had to say it was rape - either due to an angry father or boyfriend. If I were the lawyer, I would pursue that possiblity. I think it smells bad too. I don't think he is lying.

I just question the knee jerk responses that sets the victim up as the liar...

not that your theory is without merit. Could be. I do not profess to know the circumstances behind either hers or his "dark pasts". I thought the suicide was prior to the rape as someone on the other thread pointed out.

Whether before or after, again, I am not on the scene of this particular case to be making broad guessed based on no real information, but for just perhaps how the media decides to spin it. I believe issues from past are not always admissable so, in essence, the media is in contempt of judicial process by exposing what 1-might not be admissable under the penal code on rape and 2- sensationally reporting news which is completely irrelevant to the present charge.

That would go for any of Kobe's "dark past" as well. You feel she is lying... that and a dollar or more will get you a ride on the NY subway.

this girl attempted suicide two months before... at least according to the snip in the article here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=24278&mesg_id=24278&page=