Los Angeles, July 20: Kobe Bryant vehemently has maintained his innocence after being charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in a case bound to tarnish the career of one of the NBA's superstars.

Hours after a sexual assault complaint was filed against him, NBA superstar Kobe Bryant-- with his wife by his side---- told a room full of reporters at the Staples Center on Friday (July 18) in Los Angeles that he was falsely accused. "I'm innocent," said Bryant. "And together my wife and I and our family, we're gonna fight these false accusations. We have a lot at stake. I have a lot at stake. And that has nothing to do with the game of basketball, it has nothing to do with endorsements. Nothing at all. This is about us. This is about our family. And I'm falsely accused of something. I'm innocent." Bryant's attorney also denied the charges. "Kobe Bryant is innocent of the charges filed against him today," said Pamela Robillard Mackey. "He stands falsely accused-- falsely accused of an extremely serious crime-- a crime that carries with it the potential of a life sentence. No prosecutor should file charges unless the evidence is so strong that the case can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The evidence in this case falls far far short of that standard. The accusations in this case cannot be proven because they are false. Kobe Bryant did not assault his accuser." The 24-year-old Bryant faces four years to life in prison if convicted on the single felony count, Eagle County, Colorado District Attorney Mark Hurlbert told reporters during a news conference.


"This decision came only after reviewing all the evidence, testimonial evidence and physical evidence, after reviewing the relevant statutes, after reviewing the relevant case law and after conferring with prosecutors from around the state," said Hurlbert. "Then and only then did I make my decision."



Bryant has maintained his innocence, but acknowledged that he "made the mistake of adultery" with the woman, who worked the front desk at the resort where he was staying while in Colorado for knee surgery.


"Nothing that happened June 30th was against the will of the woman who now falsely accuses me," Bryant said in a statement.


Deputies in the Eagle, Colorado Sheriff's Office received the sexual misconduct complaint on Tuesday (July 15), one day after the alleged incident occurred in a hotel in Edwards, a resort community west of Vail. Investigators reviewed physical evidence, conducted interviews and met with the district attorney's office before issuing a warrant.


Bryant was cooperative with investigators after surrendering to authorities Friday at the Eagle County Sheriff's Detention Center. He was released after posting $25,000 US dollars bond.


"The defendant's next court date is August 6, 2003 at 1 o'clock," said Hurlbert. "At that time, it is expected that he'll be advised of the charges against him and be advised of his rights. It is also a bond appearance day, so he is required to appear at that time."


Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak issued a statement on Sunday night, expressing support for the five-time All-Star. Bryant, who turns 25 next month, is married and has a 6-month-old daughter.


Last season, he was second in the NBA in scoring at a career-high 30.0 points per game and posted career bests with 6.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists. The 6-6 guard scored at least 40 points in nine straight games and on March 5 became the youngest player to reach the 10,000-point plateau.


The son of former NBA player Joe Bryant, Kobe Bryant was the youngest player to debut in the league when he made the jump from high school in 1996. He won MVP honours at the 2002 All-Star Game in his native Philadelphia and has earned All-NBA first team honors each of the last two seasons.


Bureau Report