EAGLE, Colo. - Basketball star Kobe Bryant yesterday was charged with one count of felony sexual assault in an alleged attack on a 19-year-old hotel attendant at a Rocky Mountain resort on June 30.
Bryant, a 24-year-old all-star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers and a Lower Merion native known for his clean-cut public persona, could face four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation. He also could be fined $3,000 to $750,000.
"Basically, it is alleged that he [caused] sexual penetration or intrusion and that he caused submission of the victim through actual physical force," said Eagle County District Attorney Mark D. Hurlbert, announcing the charge at a news conference outside his office yesterday afternoon.
Hours later, Bryant answered back, making his first public statements on the case at a news conference in Los Angeles. He admitted adultery but said it was consensual.
"I'm innocent," he said into a microphone after a long moment spent choking back tears. "I didn't force her to do anything against her will. I'm innocent... . I sit here in front of you guys, furious at myself, disgusted at myself for making a mistake of adultery."
Bryant's wife, Vanessa, sat beside him as he made several apologies to her and vowed that "shoulder to shoulder, we're going to fight this thing through all the way to the end."
NBA commissioner David Stern said only that the league would "await the outcome of a judicial proceeding before taking any action."
Yesterday's developments ended two weeks of speculation after Bryant's July 4 arrest and set the stage for a legal battle. Prosecutors and Bryant agree that sexual activity occurred inside his hotel room that night. The issue is whether it was consensual.
Hurlbert, the first-year district attorney for Colorado's Fifth Judicial District, told reporters yesterday that his office had evidence to prove the anonymous victim's allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
"As in any sexual assault case, ladies and gentlemen, this did not come easily," Hurlbert said. He said he spent the last two weeks reviewing testimony, physical evidence - presumably the long-awaited DNA tests from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation - studying case law, and consulting with other Colorado prosecutors.
"Then and only then did I make my decision," he said.
Bryant's attorneys, Pamela Mackey and Harold Haddon, described the arrest of Bryant as a "rush to judgment" made by a county sheriff who may have been biased from a prior friendship with the victim when he was a Drug Abuse Resistance Education officer at the local high school.
"We will explore his bias," said Haddon, who did not elaborate on the bias accusation. "... We will look into their motives. The course of the trial will determine that."
The incident occurred late June 30 at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, a mountainside resort about 130 miles west of Denver, when the woman was reportedly summoned to Bryant's room, possibly for room service.
The woman, home in Eagle and working a summer job after her freshman year at the University of Northern Colorado, claims Bryant held her against her will and sexually assaulted her.
Reports of the aftermath vary. Some claim a ruckus in the room attracted hotel security and the woman left in hysterics. Others suggest that she returned downstairs on her own, in a shocked stupor. Hurlbert would not say whether anyone witnessed the alleged assault.
While Bryant underwent knee surgery the following day - his reason for coming to Colorado - police investigated the victim's complaint. Bryant was taken to Valley View Hospital to provide DNA samples, and later flew back to Los Angeles.
On July 4, Eagle County Sheriff Joseph D. Hoy issued an arrest warrant for Bryant, who flew back that night to surrender and post $25,000 bail.
Two days later, Hoy announced the arrest, beginning a guessing game that has occupied countless hours on television and marred the reputations of Bryant, his accuser, and even Hoy, who was widely criticized for "jumping the gun" in arresting Bryant before the district attorney had decided to press charges.
Yesterday Hoy stood silently behind the lectern as Hurlbert announced the charges Hoy had pushed for. Later, Hoy released a statement suggesting that reporters go home.
The alleged victim is a former cheerleader and choir singer at Eagle Valley High School. Invariably described as a "good girl" by acquaintances, she is tall, blond, friendly and ambitious enough to have made the trip to Texas last fall to sing in auditions for the television program American Idol.
Her family's hillside home on the edge of town has become a pilgrimage site for visiting reporters, who are politely turned away at the door. For now, she will maintain her anonymity, housebound for the summer. Prosecutors said she had been consulted before the decision to file charges was made.
"It's been very difficult for her," Hurlbert said, "more difficult with all the media attention. But I ask you to respect her privacy in this."
Under Colorado law, the charge of "Sexual Assault-Overcome Victim's Will" is a third-degree felony carrying a prison term of four years to life or a probation period of 20 years to life.
Bryant was 18 when he entered the NBA four months after graduating from Lower Merion High in 1996. He was 22 when he married 19-year-old Vanessa Laine in 2001. The couple have a daughter, Natalia, born in January.
Considered an heir to Michael Jordan's basketball legacy, Bryant has won three NBA titles in his seven years with the Lakers. Last season, he averaged a career-high 30 points a game. He is a member of the U.S. men's senior national basketball team, expected to compete at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
In addition to his $70.9 million Lakers contract and a three-year, $55 million extension signable after this season, Bryant holds endorsement contracts with Sprite and McDonald's, and in June signed a $45 million sneaker deal with Nike.
"I have a lot at stake," Bryant said last night. "And that has nothing to do with the game of basketball, nothing to do with endorsements. This is about us. This is about our family.
"I am falsely accused of something," he continued, exhaling. "I'm innocent... . I appreciate everybody out there for your support. We're going to need your support and prayers now more than ever."
In her own statement released beforehand, Vanessa Bryant said: "I will not let him face these accusations alone. I know Kobe better than anyone. The great person you see on the court and in the public is a far greater person off the court."
Lakers fan Joel Mendoza, 26, visiting Colorado from Los Angeles, attended the news conference yesterday wearing a yellow and purple Lakers jersey and hat, hoping to hear Bryant be exonerated. Afterward his support was muted. "I was shocked by how serious the allegations were," he said.
Bryant's next court appearance will be a hearing on Aug. 6 in Eagle, where he will be advised of the charges against him and of his rights. Mackey said he would plead not guilty.
Hurlbert would not speculate whether the trial would occupy Bryant during the coming basketball season.
Hurlbert promised to treat this celebrity case like any other case. He expected any trial would be held in Eagle. "This is a crime that occurred in Eagle, and I think the people of Eagle should hear it," he said.
"Really, the overriding goal in all of this is justice for the victim and for the people of Eagle County."
Bryant's attorneys said they, too, hoped to try the case before a Colorado jury, unless Hoy "continues to make statements and express his opinion."
"We will not try this case in the press," Mackey said. "We will try it before a Colorado jury, and we are confident that a Colorado jury will find Mr. Kobe Bryant innocent."
In the Philadelphia area, reactions ranged from the cynical to the sympathetic.
Matthew Booker, 16, an 11th grader at University City High School, one of four youths riding bicycles yesterday at Schuylkill River Park, said: "He's a goody two-shoes, so people won't believe anything. With A.I. [Allen Iverson] they'd believe anything."
Out on busy Montgomery Avenue in Lower Merion, Chuck Sherman, 51, a custom cabinet business owner said: "It would be a shame if [the charge] proves to be true. I'm hoping like most people I know here that it isn't true. Kobe is like a hero around here."
Stephen Cohen of Lower Merion said: "I think he was set up. If anything happened, it was consensual. He may have had a weak moment, but rape? Nah... . He's a smart guy. I just can't see him doing it."
I think I would not be so forgiving a wife - unless I didn't really care about him and was just soaking up the lavish lifestyle he was providing for me.
Whether this man is guilty of sexual assult, he still committed adultry. I was watching the press release, and his wife was sitting there, holding his hand. He was saying things to her like... "You're the air that I breathe. You're my back bone." I just wanted to puke. He would be apologizing to her... and she wouldn't even know about this if he didn't get caught. I don't understand people who cheat. I don't care if you're a man or a woman. And the spouses just roll over and forgive. Must have something to do with all those millions of dollars that he's got.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Obviously, you folks don't understand anything at all about forgiveness and giving a person another chance. People are human, even super-hero basketball players. They do make mistakes. People do things out of character, like commit adultery in a one-night stand, and then later are sorry as hell for it. But, I guess none of you ever did anything wrong or anything you regretted in your whole lives.
I feel sorry for people who are so unforgiving and so cynical. You not only don't know him personally, you don't know her. Yet, here you are making all kinds of judgments about her motives for saying she stood by him. It's people like you, not people like her, that make me puke.
If the shoe fits, wear it.
Do you believe that Scott Peterson is capable of doing something terrible to your daughter?
Sharon: The way they were as a couple, we would never be able to believe that. They were just so loving to each other. They were always happy together. And there was no indication that there was ever any kind of a problem between the two of them.
Connie Chung Interview, 2-27-03
I was disgusted at him trying explain that "he was just a MAN" as if that would explain his adultery. I'm not even going to talk about the rape charges.
Well I'm sorry but I don't buy that - he is NOT a MAN, he is an womanizing JERK.
Why was he talking with his tongue all over his cheeks and sucking in his mouth??? Can't he speak like a normal MAN? Does he have a speech imparement??? Seems to me like he had a difficult time saying what he had to say.
Also talk about his lawyers NOT wanting to "try this case in the media" -- he, the super-hero announces he is innocent for - what? - 5 minutes in front of the whole nation?? While the victim is under house arrest and cannot speak for herself. Bad publicity move - starting the case in this way in the media. He should have just said he is sorry to his wife and left.
All that money he signed up for in June went to his Head obviously and he could not handle it. He is only 24 years old, with a beautiful wife, he has been married only since 2001, has a baby, basically still newly weds on their honeymoon. And he is already dropping his pants at the hotel door???
"And I love my wife with all my heart. She's my backbone. You're a blessing. You're a piece of my heart, you're the air I breath. You're the strongest person I know and I'm so sorry" Obviously she is far stronger than Kobe. How come he did not think of her in his hotel room when a pretty blond comes to his room to do room service?? A real MAN does not drop his pants AND the memory of his wife and child when he checks into a hotel room.
Even if the blond went aggressively after him --- he has no excuse to commit adultery as soon as a pretty young thing knocks at his door. Don't these guys get any common sense training?? He is going to have a steady stream of women tossing themselves at him, and how is he supposed to cope with that? By having a strong wife with a backbone at home, who forgives him because after all he is so wonderful.
Give me a break, I need to puke.
"And I'm a human being. I'm a man just like everybody else. I mourn, I cry just like everybody else. And I sit here before you guys, embarrassed and ashamed for committing adultery. And you know if I could go through the feeling of what was he going to say here???-- if I could just turn back the hands of time -- and I love my wife so much. She's so special to me.
Sure she is special now. I feel really sorry for both of the women here, but at least one of them gets paid for her pain.
Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.
Oscar Wilde
Originally posted by Manewell Obviously, you folks don't understand anything at all about forgiveness and giving a person another chance. People are human, even super-hero basketball players. They do make mistakes. People do things out of character, like commit adultery in a one-night stand, and then later are sorry as hell for it. But, I guess none of you ever did anything wrong or anything you regretted in your whole lives.
I feel sorry for people who are so unforgiving and so cynical. You not only don't know him personally, you don't know her. Yet, here you are making all kinds of judgments about her motives for saying she stood by him. It's people like you, not people like her, that make me puke.
If the shoe fits, wear it.
You think that people like us don't know about forgiveness?
Please... I know a lot about it. And I'm not a saint.
But, what I was trying to say was that until this woman pressed charges, he acted like he did NOTHING. He didn't go telling him wife about what he had done. It's not GUILT that made him tell her. It's that it became public what he did. There's a HUGE difference in going to your spouse and admitting wrong... and going to them because it's over your head and it's about to become knowledge to them by someone other than themself.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
I notice all you guys talking about Kobe....well Im gonna put it this way.....many spouses cheat and are forgiven....but since Im not her...its hard to really see her train of thought on all this...
but here is the bottom line.....and I have seen not one person mention this....
Put aside the cheating for one minute....did it ever occur to anyone that this woman he supposedly raped...might just be doing this for a buck? What about the 911 calls from her house to the police before the incident occurred? Is she a person that calls 911 often?
Im not saying the guy is a saint by all means...but if his wife has forgiven him at this point...why do we care? Its not our life.....I think too much is focused on him being a scumbag, and not enough on wondering about what the victim's real intentions might be......if she wasnt raped.
We dont know this guy is guilty yet.....maybe we need to focus on this woman first....and then focus on his adultery later. And do we really even need to do that? Its none of our business. Maybe we should make him wear a scarlet letter...and let it be already. Geez! Really...who cares? Does his adultery really effect our lives to the point that we should judge him? Are we so perfect ourselves that we have that right?
Helen, you crack me up...again assuming that he is guilty before you even know whats up. Didnt you know she placed two 911 calls to the police before the incident happened? Did it ever occur to you that she might be doing this for money? Does she have mental problems that cause her to call 911 often? The woman is well-known in Eagle as a former high school cheerleader and talented musician who auditioned for "American Idol" last year. Is she looking for quick fame since she was not chosen for A.I.?
Stars are sometimes subjected to false accusations so others can make a quick buck....
Look at the girl that sued Bill Cosby saying that he was her real dad...all for money....and she was never related....
At least wait for the evidence before saying you feel sorry for both woman.....maybe feel sorry for the wife...but dont give this other woman anything until you know for sure..maybe she was raped.....maybe she wasnt. But, who made you judge and jury?
For once...try putting something into perspective.
Of course thats just my opinion....I could be wrong. (Dennis Miller)
"You might be the toughest little whacker. . .but in my world, you're about as worrisome as a cloudy day." (Dutch Dooley)
i think its laughable when a celebrity goes bad that all the spectators all of a sudden become such saints, and elevate themselves as judges of righteousness. the media thought it was all good when bill clinton was in the White House, so why the big fuss now? could it be because Kobe is black?
Helen, you crack me up...again assuming that he is guilty before you even know whats up. Didnt you know she placed two 911 calls to the police before the incident happened? Did it ever occur to you that she might be doing this for money? Does she have mental problems that cause her to call 911 often? The woman is well-known in Eagle as a former high school cheerleader and talented musician who auditioned for "American Idol" last year. Is she looking for quick fame since she was not chosen for A.I.?
You did not read my post effectively as usual or did not get the meaning at all of what I said.
WHATEVER.... ASSume anything you like if that cracks you up
I NEVER wrote about the victim except that we have not seen HER side of the story and she is in seclusion while Kobe is on national TV. And she is not getting paid at THIS moment for what she is going thru NOW.
WHATEVER happened I don't know and I never assumed anything .....
I never said anything remotely to indicate I think he is guilty of charges but I did say Even if the blond went aggressively after him --- he has no excuse to commit adultery
....Completely went by what Kobe said in his media spin statement....which was ridiculous, his statements I mean....
*WHERE*, *HOW*, and *WHY* DO YOU ALWAYS READ *MORE* INTO A POST THAN CAN BE *LOGICALLY* CONCLUDED BASED ON WHAT IS WRITTEN????
I never even talked about the rape....
Here is the first part of my post:
I was disgusted at him trying explain that "he was just a MAN" as if that would explain his adultery. I'm not even going to talk about the rape charges.
Most MEN do not cheat on their spouse - especially not during the first few years of marriage. And didn't he initially lie about the adultery, as most jerks do, just like Scott Peterson???
And you should take that effective reading class.
Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.
Oscar Wilde
For once...try putting something into perspective.
I don't think anyone here was posting anything from YOUR perspective - we don't have to follow YOUR RULES for posting our opinions.
I was putting it into A VERY REALISTIC perspective - REAL MEN DO NOT CHEAT ON THEIR WIVES.
Most of us just were offended by his adultery and lies. Why can't you look at it from THAT PERSPECTIVE????
Like we can't form our own opinions without your HIGH AND MIGHTY guidance what made you the SUPREME SORCERESS and JUDGE of what we have to say and which perspective we are to take on this or on any subject????
Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.
Oscar Wilde
Originally posted by Larke2000 i think its laughable when a celebrity goes bad that all the spectators all of a sudden become such saints, and elevate themselves as judges of righteousness. the media thought it was all good when bill clinton was in the White House, so why the big fuss now? could it be because Kobe is black?
There have been black athletes before with 2000+ affairs, so this one case hardly makes it BIG FUSS about a black athlete.
Spectator sport - spectator applause - spectator attention.
Just all that simple. Hero lies and falls in front of a huge audience, that simple.
The fact that he is black has nothing to do with it. He was supposed to take the crown from Mike Jordan....how many times was Mike Jordan in the news for adultery???? How about ALL the black athletes..... not counting Mike Tyson???
Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.
Oscar Wilde
At least wait for the evidence before saying you feel sorry for both woman.....maybe feel sorry for the wife ...but dont give this other woman anything until you know for sure ..maybe she was raped. ....maybe she wasnt . But, who made you judge and jury?
For once...try putting something into perspective.
And you think that I need to consult with YOU about how I should feel???
I AM the judge and the jury ABOUT MY OWN FEELINGS. According to modern psychiatry it is a sign of mental health to have your OWN FEELINGS and being able to recognize them, and to have LOGICAL reasons WHY you FEEL the WAY you feel ..... WITHOUT the need to consult with ANYONE about how you are supposed to feel (because the latter ....that would amount to being "co-dependent", not at all a healthy state of mind).
You gotta be to even think this way....
I am entitled to have ANY feelings that I have, no permit from YOU or anyone else required. So is everyone else. PERIOD.
I feel ABSOLUTELY SORRY for the victim without knowing ANY FACTS, and I am able to feel this way logically and rightfully so, because
1. if she was raped THEN of course I feel very sorry it happened to her
2. if she was not raped and she is mentally ill to claim a rape happened THEN I feel very sorry for her because being mentally ill is a sorry state for a human
3. if she was not raped but is claiming that a rape happened for some "sane" selfish reason (like money, fame. etc) THEN I feel very sorry for her, sorry for such a young life gone so very wrong and she obviously needs professional help.
So talk about judging people -- come again - -how does it work????
Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.
Oscar Wilde
07-19-2003 07:16 PM
what was he going to say here???-- if I could just turn back the hands of time -- and I love my wife so much. She's so special to me. 
Really...who cares? Does his adultery really effect our lives to the point that we should judge him? Are we so perfect ourselves that we have that right?
