Prosecutors Reportedly to Drop Kobe Charge

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 5:23 pm

By JON SARCHE
Associated Press Writer

EAGLE, Colo. (AP) -- Attorneys in the Kobe Bryant case hastily assembled behind closed doors in the courtroom Wednesday amid reports prosecutors will drop the rape charges against the NBA star.

The prosecution will drop the case as early as Thursday, according to media outlets including MSNBC, ABC and Court TV, all citing unidentified sources.

Prosecution spokeswoman Krista Flannigan declined to comment, as did attorneys for the 20-year-old accuser. Defense attorneys did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

L. Lin Wood, an attorney handling the accuser's federal civil lawsuit against Bryant, said that case was intact Wednesday.

"There has been no settlement of the civil lawsuit and there have been no discussions concerning a settlement," he said. He declined to comment when asked about the criminal case.

Bryant, 26, has said he had consensual sex with a then-19-year-old employee of a Vail-area resort where he stayed last summer. If convicted, the Los Angeles Lakers star would face four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation, and a fine up to $750,000.

Reports that the prosecution was dropping the case surfaced as jury selection began to wrap up. Attorneys and District Judge Terry Ruckriegle had hoped to seat a 12-member jury this week, with opening statements coming next Tuesday.

Defense attorneys this week asked the judge to dismiss the assault charge, saying prosecutors had refused to turn over details that could suggest Bryant is innocent. Court rules require prosecutors and defense attorneys to exchange evidence and witness opinions before trial, a process called discovery.

In a motion made public Wednesday, defense attorneys said a forensics expert whom prosecutors had planned to call as a witness had information that "undermined the accuser's allegations and the prosecution's case, and corroborated Mr. Bryant's defense on a central issue - the cause and significance of the accuser's alleged injuries."

http://ap.washingtontimes.com/dynamic/s ... CTION=HOME

WHO didn't see this coming?

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 5:43 pm

Wow, that is breaking news. Looks like Kobe's got a lotta 'splaining to do to his fans, in order to restore his image. Good to see that this could finally be put to rest.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 5:51 pm

Wow!

Looks like another star athlete gets off scott free, besides the fact that he comepletely ruined his public image.

The reason the prosecution won't go forward was because she doesn't wanna discuss her... ahem... history.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 5:58 pm

Looks like another star athlete gets off scott free, besides the fact that he comepletely ruined his public image.

Scott free? What are you saying that he is guilty of? I for one do not believe that he raped that girl. Did he commit adultery, yes. Is that bad, yes! That girl better have been hot to have cheated on his wife, because she is fine! :shock:

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 7:14 pm

I don't think he raped her either! I read some of the leaked documents and her story just doesn't add up, AT ALL. And I am not talking from a legal stand point. I don't think Kobe has any more explaining to do to us then he aleady has. He said he commited adultry it was wrong and the issue is now between he and his wife.
One thing to realize here is that there was evidence that was not admitted because of her rights. By filing the civil charges at the same time the prosecution has no choice but to share this evidence now. So her greed basically did her in.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 7:19 pm

Well, he doesn't have to go through a trial. I guess he may have to pay her something.

I don't really think he did it, either. It was a smart tactic on the defense's part to try to exploit her history although I don't think exploiting someone outside of a courtroom is good.

CLL, I agree %100... why would he be stupid enough to cheat on Vanessa? Wow, she's freakin' hot. :shock:

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 7:40 pm

Jake there is a reason her history came up. And it's a forensic reason we can discuss when you are 21! ;-)

The only victim in this situation, in my opinion, is his wife. She has been put through alot of public humliation.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 8:42 pm

I think the whole thing where she supposedly waited till the end of her shift to report the alleged rape, and a witness who saw her who said she appeared to be completly calm killed her credibiliy. Besides the fact that she supposedly had sex with someone either before or after Kobe, so there is no telling who supposedly raped her, if she was raped at all. I think she tried to set the guy up, and he was stupid enough to almost get caught up.

Jake.....Jake.....Jake...., hot is an understatement. She is "HAWT", which is far hotter, than HOT. My goodness, if I was Kobe, I would never ever ever ever ever cheat on her. :shock:

Shoot, if he deserves to go to jail for anything, its for cheating on his wife. Stupidity in the 5th degree.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 8:46 pm

NikiH wrote:Jake there is a reason her history came up. And it's a forensic reason we can discuss when you are 21!

The only victim in this situation, in my opinion, is his wife. She has been put through alot of public humliation.

I know all about the forensic reasons. Yes, they even discussed those forensic reasons on SportsCenter. And even if they didn't, I could put 2 and 2 together.

Well, what's public humiliation when she has public sympathy and a $4 million ring that she can pawn off at any time?

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:01 pm

Well, what's public humiliation when she has public sympathy and a $4 million ring that she can pawn off at any time?

He was dumb for getting her that ring. He only did it to make up for what he did, and no jewelery is going to make any woman forget that you cheated on her. Lying to a woman is one of the worst things you can do. There is NOTHING like a black woman scorned....my goodness, I know for a fact! LLOL..

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:04 pm

LOL The size of that ring and it will take some of the sting out of it! ;-)

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:05 pm

Chris Luva Luva wrote:
Well, what's public humiliation when she has public sympathy and a $4 million ring that she can pawn off at any time?

He was dumb for getting her that ring. He only did it to make up for what he did, and no jewelery is going to make any woman forget that you cheated on her. Lying to a woman is one of the worst things you can do. There is NOTHING like a black woman scorned....my goodness, I know for a fact! LLOL..

to make matters worst he told the world that he cheated on her

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:07 pm

Owning up to your mistakes hasn't done too bad for me in regards to women. Most of them will halfway respect you for your honesty after the fact. I know I wouldn't buy a woman a $million+ ring after I cheated on her. She's mad, she still might leave you and take the ring.

General Failure · Post by **General Failure** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:16 pm

... and still take half of what you've got left.

woohit56 · Post by **woohit56** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:24 pm

Chris Luva Luva wrote:I know I wouldn't buy a woman a $million+ ring after I cheated on her. She's mad, she still might leave you and take the ring.

haha classic!

no way was Kobe getting pinned for this. he's prob looking for tattoo removal services right now.

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 4:51 am

If Kobe is truly innocent of rape (which I believe he is) He will fight the civil case. I don't care what it will cost him, he needs to see to it that she gets nothing. I don't want to hear it's cheaper to settle, he can use the money he just saved on the criminal trail. It will help restore his image as well. Of course the real lesson here is fidelity

Texas Hog · Post by **Texas Hog** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 11:52 am

I find it curious that he felt compelled to apologize to her. I'm not saying he's guilty, but do any of you find that strange? She just cost him 10's of millions for consensual sex and he's apologizing? :-k

SkinsChic · Post by **SkinsChic** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 11:58 am

Yeah...I was confused about that also...and I'm sure it's not going to help his CIVIL case either. I can't believe his lawyers actually let him do that.

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 11:58 am

Texas Hog wrote:I find it curious that he felt compelled to apologize to her. I'm not saying he's guilty, but do any of you find that strange? She just cost him 10's of millions for consensual sex and he's apologizing?

It was part of the deal, in exchange for dropping the charges. Also, the statement cannot be used against him in a court of law, as per the deal. When I say "deal" I'm not implying any money has changed hands. There was no case, so Kobe is off the (criminal) hook, with legals bills and an apology only. I hope he had pre-paid legal. he he.

Texas Hog · Post by **Texas Hog** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 12:06 pm

Rumor has it his legal fees are over $10 mil. Anyone her besides me that believes she received a little under the table?

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 12:33 pm

Texas Hog wrote:Anyone her besides me that believes she received a little under the table?

I thought it was over a chair. :hmm:

Did new allegations surface?

redskincity · Post by **redskincity** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 2:55 pm

Texas Hog wrote:I find it curious that he felt compelled to apologize to her. I'm not saying he's guilty, but do any of you find that strange? She just cost him 10's of millions for consensual sex and he's apologizing?

I heard that he had to make this statement and was fighting with his lawyers not to.

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 4:37 pm

I thought it was over a chair.

Did new allegations surface?

Ok redeemed you are not the one I expected to take it there!

I think perhaps her lawyers thought this apology would have people like you and I thinking he did indeed do something.

I hope she doesn't get one stinking penny.

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 5:13 pm

NikiH wrote:Ok redeemed you are not the one I expected to take it there!

Here we go again. :roll:

My point was to highlight that, similar to what was said in an earlier post, this is between two individuals, and the details surrounding the dismissal are between them (and their lawyers, of course :wink:

).

My bad for not using better judgement and words to come through clearly enough. It happens. #-o

Under the table settlements, secret arrangements, etc. BLAH BLAH BLAH. These are details that, hopefully, will remain covered, to buffer the harm to both parties caused by these affairs.

Kobe's at fault for putting himself in such an embarassing situation, but, at the same time, this'll haunt him for a while, a long one. Let's give him a chance to move on, pay his bills, and solidify his marriage. I hope he and his wife work things out (and not only for the cameras). As for Kate whats-her-name, she obviously needs help. Let's pray that good people surround her, and help her get out of the mess caused by this horrible situation.

I think perhaps her lawyers thought this apology would have people like you and I thinking he did indeed do something.

Even if they didn't, it worked, eh?

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 9:10 pm

Ok I think I understand!

This was not a comment targeting your preferences. It was regarding your morality. You seem to wear your bible on your sleeve RS. And I was shocked that a man with such obvious religious values would be the first to use this type of enuendo for any reason.[