Kobe Bryant charged with sexual Assault :mistake of adultery

[911SC Pilot]

ESPN.com news services


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 said during a news conference.

Bryant's Denver-based attorney, Pamela Mackey, has scheduled a news conference at 9 p.m. ET time tonight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, but there is no word whether Bryant will be there. Mackey also released a statement on Bryant's behalf shortly after the announcement.

"I am innocent of the charges filed today. I did not assault the woman who is accusing me," Bryant said in the statement. "I made the mistake of adultery. I have to answer to my wife and my God for my actions that night and I pray that both will forgive me.

"Nothing that happened June 30th was against the will of the woman who now falsely accuses me."


The woman worked the front desk at the resort where Bryant was staying while in the state for knee surgery.


Bryant's wife, Vanessa, also released a statement, saying she stood by her husband. "He is not a criminal," she said.


NBA Commissioner David Stern released a statement Friday afternoon. "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," he said. "We do not anticipate making further comments during the pendency of the judicial process."


Hurlbert refused to talk about the details of the case.


He said he reviewed all evidence during the last two weeks and consulted prosecutors around the state before making his decision.


"This did not come easily," he said.


Bryant, free on $25,000 bail, must return to court in Eagle on Aug. 6 for an advisement hearing.


The case has riveted the sports world for nearly two weeks because it involves one of the NBA's brightest and most magnetic young stars.


Bryant, a father of a baby girl, has also used his clean image to land multimillion-dollar endorsement deals.


Documents in the case, including the arrest warrant, have been sealed.


Authorities have said Bryant assaulted the woman June 30 at the gated Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in nearby Edwards. He was in Colorado for knee surgery at a Vail clinic, and was booked at the lodge from June 30 to July 2.


Eagle County sheriff's deputies took Bryant to Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs for tests early July 2, later letting him leave in a taxi with his bodyguards.


The woman also underwent tests, and Hurlbert has said he needed information from the state crime lab before making his decision.


Bryant surrendered to authorities July 4 and was released an hour later after posting bond. The sheriff refused to release Bryant's booking photo for days.


The arrest was announced July 6, prompting a firestorm of media attention on this small mountain town 100 miles west of Denver.


Reporters swamped the cul-de-sac where the woman lives with her parents, but she has said nothing publicly. Her family has consulted an attorney.


The news stunned basketball fans: Bryant, a five-time All-Star who has already won three titles with the Lakers, is by most accounts a quiet man who prefers dinner with a few friends to joining teammates for a night on the town.


Sports marketing experts say the case will be a permanent blow to Bryant's image, and could cost him millions in lost endorsements.


Bryant entered the NBA in 1996 at age 18, straight out of high school. He has drawn comparisons to the league's greatest players and helped Los Angeles win titles from 2000-02.


Along with his determination, Bryant has also shown class, something many fans feel are missing from other NBA stars. He wept when the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs by San Antonio in May, and he wore his hospital ID bracelet in a game the day after his daughter was born.


He married Vanessa Laine in April 2001. The two met on the set of a music video where Laine was working, and got engaged while she was still in high school. Vanessa gave birth to their first child, Natalia Diamante Bryant, in January.

[widebody911]

The cynic in me sees a little bit of gold mining going on.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

The cynic in me sees an oversized, undereducated moron who was too stupid to keep it in his pants.

[widebody911]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
The cynic in me sees an oversized, undereducated moron who was too stupid to keep it in his pants.

Thanks, but what about Kobe?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

LOL.

I don't think you qualify for "undereducated" though.

[CJFusco]

when jordan left, so did all the class in the NBA.

Sorry, just not a basketball fan

anyhow, my theory is that the plaintif just finished reading Tom Wolfe's A MAN IN FULL and, knowing that a famous sports star was staying in her resort, became suddenly inspired...

[Moses]

Kobe will lose more than 20 million annually in endorsements. If she were after money, a simple call to Bryant's agent while the DNA tests were pending would have secured many millions in a Michael Jackson style settlement. Everythings for sale in America-even silence.

Something different going on here. Stay tuned.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by CJFusco
when jordan left, so did all the class in the NBA.

You mean the first time he left (due to gambling issues), or the second time?

[350HP930]

Originally posted by Moses
Kobe will lose more than 20 million annually in endorsements. If she were after money, a simple call to Bryant's agent while the DNA tests were pending would have secured many millions in a Michael Jackson style settlement. Everythings for sale in America-even silence.

Something different going on here. Stay tuned.

You never know. If she is a young stupid girl trying to get into the business of extortion she may have just completely screwed up on her first attempt.

It could also be spite. Apparantly she has already made attempts at becoming famous by auditioning for 'reality' shows. Perhaps Kobe made a few false promises to help her reach stardom to get her into the sack and after realizing he was full of it decided to get back at him.

Who knows.

While I would never trust the ethics of a professional athlete it would appear that Kobe has better things to do than rape women at the hotels he stays at.

[Nabeel]

Originally posted by CJFusco
when jordan left, so did all the class in the NBA.

Sorry, just not a basketball fan

anyhow, my theory is that the plaintif just finished reading Tom Wolfe's A MAN IN FULL and, knowing that a famous sports star was staying in her resort, became suddenly inspired...

err....fidelity was never one of Jordan's strong suits. The difference being, he (luckily) never got into trouble for it, like Kobe.

I think your theory sounds plausible...

Among my first thoughts when Kobe was charged this afternoon was that he got married too soon. I mean, the guy is 25 and was I believe 22 when he married. His wife was 18 at the time. Maybe he hadn't fully thought things through (ie, you wanna stay with this girl FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?). Most guys in their early 20's can't think that far ahead. I should know...

On the other hand, have you all seen Kobe's wife? She's gorgeous....not that her appearance should taint the alleged sexual assult charge in any way, but man...... when you cheated on her, WTF were you thinking Kobe?

[speeder]

Originally posted by Nabeel



On the other hand, have you all seen Kobe's wife? She's gorgeous....not that her appearance should taint the alleged sexual assult charge in any way, but man...... when you cheated on her, WTF were you thinking Kobe?

Probably thinking that he would get away w/ it.

I certainly don't want to judge the man w/o knowing a lot more facts, there is always the $$ element possible w/ a superstar like him, but there is also a syndrome where rich, famous people think that they can do what they want.

Who knows? I will not argue w/ the assertion that a lot of pro athletes are knuckleheads, but Kobe never fit that mold. I have met his sister, he definitely comes from a good family. I'm sure more info will come out before too long.

[nostatic]

Infidelity has very little to do with what's waiting at home...

I like the explanation in Moonstruck: men chase women because they fear death.

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

heck, poor unknown people also do what they want, look at me!!!!lol

[tabs]

Originally posted by 911SC Pilot
ESPN.com news services
NBA Commissioner David Stern released a statement Friday afternoon. "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,"

Maybe Kobe is Naive...having been taken care of all his life....
Every Proffession has it's Groupies...who throw themselves at these guys...usually it's a case of ego gratification by association ...that a guy as "powerfull" as Kobe would want me! Or from Kobe, "It's so easy... they all want me..."I'm so charming".....so...that "NO" really meant a Yes.... Or I'm Kobe and I can get away with it....

BUT....The Commissioners statement is most telling....THEY WILL TAKE NO ACTION until there is an "OUTCOME of a judical proceeding".....That means $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ is the bottom line and the Management of Proffessional Athletics doesn't care... If they stopped taking care of these guys WRONG DOINGS (and just not Kobe either) that all they will get is a slap on the wrist with a wink and a nod...then maybe something will change...

And REALLY WHY IS KOBE SO IMPORTANT ANYWAY???? What has he done to benfit mankind in a REAL WAY??? Off with his head...

[widebody911]

Originally posted by tabs
Every Proffession has it's Groupies...
I take it you're not a programmer...

And REALLY WHY IS KOBE SO IMPORTANT ANYWAY???? What has he done to benfit mankind in a REAL WAY??? Off with his head...

It's all about bread and circuses.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally posted by widebody911
It's all about bread and circuses.

"Television is the opiate of the masses."

[Sarah]

If there was no evidence..."It never happened."

Because there was evidence...."It was consensual"...which is usually the first defense when someone is accused of a sexual assault & "DNA" is available.

So...whether it was consensual or forced in someway...the only two who really know are the two who were in the room.

I think he is only bumming because he got caught.

It just bums me out that his marriage is so new...beautiful wife...new baby...successful in his career...isn't hurting for money...then he thinks he needs/deserves a "little something on the side" while wiating for knee surgery...YUCK....now I have to find the throw-up icon.

[bell]

my opinion on this can be summed up in two words................who cares

[CJFusco]

i am still clamoring for the 'she read A MAN IN FULL' defense. seriously, i think Kobe's attourneys should look into it...

[tabs]

Kobe was probably swayed by the attitude on the bus..and thought he would get some too...But not only did he screw the woman, he screwed his marriage/wife as well regardless of whether he's guilty or not.