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Bryant back in the dock after failed appearance
Eagle, Feb 05: Basketball superstar Kobe Bryant back in court for a pre-trial hearing on charges of rape.
Eagle, Feb 05: Basketball superstar Kobe Bryant back in court for a pre-trial hearing on charges of rape.
Los Angeles Laker star Kobe Bryant, charged with raping a 19-year-old hotel employee, returned to court in Colorado on Tuesday (February 3), a day after failing to appear for a pre-trial hearing. Bryant is charged with raping the college student and hotel concierge while staying at a Colorado mountain resort where she worked on June 30. He was in Colorado to have out-patient surgery on his knee. Bryant missed Monday's hearing before Eagle County District Court Judge Terry Ruckriegle through an unexplained illness but was at court on Tuesday. Bryant's accuser checked Bryant in on June 30 before giving him a tour of the hotel and freely entering his room. She said he raped her as she wept and tried to make him stop, according to testimony taken last year from detectives.
Bryant, who is married and the father of a little girl, denies rape, saying the two had consensual sex.
The defence argues that Bryant was placed under arrest and should have been advised of his rights of being allowed to call a lawyer and to remain silent. Prosecutors contend Bryant consented to police interviews and forensic tests.
Prosecutors and Bryant's defence attorneys are arguing whether the medical and psychological records of Bryant's accuser should be presented at trial. No trial date has been set and Bryant has not yet entered a formal plea.
The proceedings remained open on Tuesday, but will be mostly closed at the next hearing on March 1 when a tape of Bryant's statement to police is played.
Bureau Report
Los Angeles Laker star Kobe Bryant, charged with raping a 19-year-old hotel employee, returned to court in Colorado on Tuesday (February 3), a day after failing to appear for a pre-trial hearing. Bryant is charged with raping the college student and hotel concierge while staying at a Colorado mountain resort where she worked on June 30. He was in Colorado to have out-patient surgery on his knee. Bryant missed Monday's hearing before Eagle County District Court Judge Terry Ruckriegle through an unexplained illness but was at court on Tuesday. Bryant's accuser checked Bryant in on June 30 before giving him a tour of the hotel and freely entering his room. She said he raped her as she wept and tried to make him stop, according to testimony taken last year from detectives.
Bryant, who is married and the father of a little girl, denies rape, saying the two had consensual sex.
The defence argues that Bryant was placed under arrest and should have been advised of his rights of being allowed to call a lawyer and to remain silent. Prosecutors contend Bryant consented to police interviews and forensic tests.
Prosecutors and Bryant's defence attorneys are arguing whether the medical and psychological records of Bryant's accuser should be presented at trial. No trial date has been set and Bryant has not yet entered a formal plea.
The proceedings remained open on Tuesday, but will be mostly closed at the next hearing on March 1 when a tape of Bryant's statement to police is played.
Bureau Report