| Bryant: 'I made the mistake of adultery'
Friday, July 18, 2003 Posted: 7:16 PM EDT (2316 GMT)
EAGLE, Colorado (CNN) -- Professional basketball star Kobe Bryant was charged Friday afternoon with sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman in a Colorado hotel where she worked.
"I feel after looking at the evidence that I can prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt," said Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert.
Bryant immediately released a statement through his attorney claiming his innocence.
"I did not assault the woman who is accusing me. I made the mistake of adultery." Bryant's statement read. (Kobe Bryant statement)
The 24-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star was charged with one count of sexual assault, a class three felony. If convicted, Bryant could serve four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation, Hurlbert said. The charge also carries a fine of up to $750,000.
"It is alleged that he caused sexual penetration or intrusion, and he caused submission of the victim through actual physical force," Hurlbert said.
The woman alleges she was a victim of sexual misconduct by Bryant on June 30 at the Lodge and Spa at Cordillera in Edwards, just west of the Vail ski resort. A hotel employee, the woman filed a police complaint the following day.
No details of the victim's allegations have been made public, and a judge has sealed information in the case.
Bryant, who is married and the father of a daughter born in January, stayed at the Colorado hotel from June 30 to July 2, according to hotel manager Paul Pastoor.
Eagle County Sheriff Joseph Hoy issued an arrest warrant, and Bryant returned to Colorado from Los Angeles to surrender on July 4. He was released on $25,000 bond.
Hurlbert was consulted on the decision to issue an arrest warrant but reportedly disagreed on the timing. He held back the announcement of charges while completing an investigation and awaiting test results from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Bryant's wife, Vanessa Bryant, also released a statement.
"I know that my husband has made a mistake -- the mistake of adultery," she said. "He and I will have to deal with that within our marriage, and we will do so. He is not a criminal." (Vanessa Bryant statement)
Bryant's attorney, Pamela Mackey, planned to hold a news briefing in Los Angeles, California, at 6 p.m. PDT (9 p.m. EDT), her office said. It is not known if Bryant will attend. Bryant's next court date would be August 6, Hurlbert indicated before the charge was filed.
The alleged victim is a former high school cheerleader who friends describe as honest and ambitious, even auditioning for American Idol last year.
Micah Bernhardt is one of her friends. "She was real good on select choir, sang in graduation, she sang in a lot of football games, a lot of basketball games, doing the national anthems," Bernhardt said.
A hearing was held Thursday on a newspaper request to release police dispatch records of two calls to the victim's home in the past year responding to noncriminal actions. The hearing lasted about 90 minutes, but no decision is expected from the judge before July 25.
Bryant's image as a role model has fueled his popularity with fans, and fellow players have rallied to his defense.
The 6-foot-6 guard was a member of the Lakers team that won three straight NBA championships in the 2000-2002 seasons. He was named most valuable player in the NBA All-Star game in the 2002 season. In 1998, Bryant became the youngest player to appear in an NBA All-Star game.
Bryant turned pro out of high school seven years ago. He was a first-round draft pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 and later that year was traded to the Lakers, where he has played ever since.
Bryant's role-model image has added to his popularity with fans, and fellow players have rallied to his defense.
Lakers commentator John Ireland said Hurlbert will have a tough job convincing not only a jury of Bryant's guilt but also his many home team supporters in Los Angeles.
"People won't believe it unless this guy can actually prove it to them. He says he's got to prove it to a jury. He's going to have to prove it to the people of Los Angeles, because [Kobe] has built up that much good will over seven years," Ireland said.
NBA Commissioner David Stern released a statement Friday evening.
"As with all allegations of a criminal nature, the NBA's policy is to await the outcome of a judicial proceeding before taking any action. We do not anticipate making further comments during the pendency of the judicial process," Stern said.
Correspondents Gary Tuchman and Brian Cabell contributed to this report. | |
