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Bryant makes first brief appearance in court
Colorado, Aug 07: NBA superstar Kobe Bryant appeared in a Colorado court for an advisement hearing in his sexual assault case.
Colorado, Aug 07: NBA superstar Kobe Bryant appeared in a Colorado court for an advisement hearing in his sexual assault case.
Basketball star Kobe Bryant looked serious and somber during his first and very brief appearance in a Colorado courtroom on Wednesday (August 6) to be formally advised of rape charges in a sensational case stemming from accusations by a 19-year-old woman. "This is somewhat extraordinary attention to an ordinary process," Eagle County Judge Fred Gannett said, referring to the advisement hearing, typically the first a defendant makes in a Colorado courtroom. Bryant showed no indication of hearing fans cheering him on when he entered and left the courthouse, looking straight ahead. During the 7 minute and 20 second hearing Bryant was ordered to return on October 9 for a preliminary hearing in the case. His attorney Pamela Mackey waived the reading of the charges and Bryant's right to a preliminary hearing within 30 days.
At a preliminary hearing the prosecution needs show only enough evidence for the judge to conclude there is probable cause that the defendant committed the offense.
That legal standard falls far short of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, which is required for conviction in the United States. But any amount of evidence at a preliminary hearing could paint Bryant in a very bad light and would be subject to constant repetition and analysis by the media, which in turn could easily prejudice the pool of potential jurors.
Gannett also admonished prosecutors and lawyers for the 24-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star to adhere to a gag order which bars them from discussing the case with the media.
Gannett said he was appointing a special investigator from a neighboring county, Pitkin, to look into whether the leaks to the media came improperly from the Eagle County sheriff's office.
Some of the media reports have included descriptions of the victim's injuries. Bryant was not asked to enter a plea and spoke only to respond "No, sir" when asked a question by Gannett.
Bryant has denied raping the woman, who worked as a concierge at a posh resort where he was staying in late June. He said the encounter was consensual and his only wrongdoing was adultery.
Bryant checked into the Lodge and Spa at Cordillera in Colorado on June 30. Prosecutors say the assault happened later that night and that the woman reported it the next day. Bryant was in Colorado for surgery at the prestigious Steadman Hawkins clinic in nearby Vail.
Bryant's wife Vanessa did not appear with him in court. About half the seats in the courtroom were allocated to the public. Many of the young people outside the courthouse wore replica Lakers jerseys with Bryant's name and No. 8 on the back.
When he left the courtroom some yelled out "Kobe, we love you" and "Kobe, you're innocent." But the superstar player stared straight ahead, getting into a large sport utility vehicle with his attorneys.
If convicted, he could face a sentence of between four years and life in prison. And anyone convicted of a sexual offense must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Across the street from the courthouse the media assembled in numbers rarely seen in a celebrity court case since the murder trial of O.J. Simpson, who was found not guilty of murdering his wife and her friend.
Gannett, who refused last week to let Bryant stay home during the hearing, allowed cameras to be present in the courtroom. As if the public didn't get enough of Bryant during the day there was more Kobe in the evening. Bryant, in a case of bizarre timing, accepted "Athlete of the Year" accolades in a taped broadcast of the Teen Choice awards on the Fox Television Network.
Bureau Report
Basketball star Kobe Bryant looked serious and somber during his first and very brief appearance in a Colorado courtroom on Wednesday (August 6) to be formally advised of rape charges in a sensational case stemming from accusations by a 19-year-old woman. "This is somewhat extraordinary attention to an ordinary process," Eagle County Judge Fred Gannett said, referring to the advisement hearing, typically the first a defendant makes in a Colorado courtroom. Bryant showed no indication of hearing fans cheering him on when he entered and left the courthouse, looking straight ahead. During the 7 minute and 20 second hearing Bryant was ordered to return on October 9 for a preliminary hearing in the case. His attorney Pamela Mackey waived the reading of the charges and Bryant's right to a preliminary hearing within 30 days.
At a preliminary hearing the prosecution needs show only enough evidence for the judge to conclude there is probable cause that the defendant committed the offense.
That legal standard falls far short of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, which is required for conviction in the United States. But any amount of evidence at a preliminary hearing could paint Bryant in a very bad light and would be subject to constant repetition and analysis by the media, which in turn could easily prejudice the pool of potential jurors.
Gannett also admonished prosecutors and lawyers for the 24-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star to adhere to a gag order which bars them from discussing the case with the media.
Gannett said he was appointing a special investigator from a neighboring county, Pitkin, to look into whether the leaks to the media came improperly from the Eagle County sheriff's office.
Some of the media reports have included descriptions of the victim's injuries. Bryant was not asked to enter a plea and spoke only to respond "No, sir" when asked a question by Gannett.
Bryant has denied raping the woman, who worked as a concierge at a posh resort where he was staying in late June. He said the encounter was consensual and his only wrongdoing was adultery.
Bryant checked into the Lodge and Spa at Cordillera in Colorado on June 30. Prosecutors say the assault happened later that night and that the woman reported it the next day. Bryant was in Colorado for surgery at the prestigious Steadman Hawkins clinic in nearby Vail.
Bryant's wife Vanessa did not appear with him in court. About half the seats in the courtroom were allocated to the public. Many of the young people outside the courthouse wore replica Lakers jerseys with Bryant's name and No. 8 on the back.
When he left the courtroom some yelled out "Kobe, we love you" and "Kobe, you're innocent." But the superstar player stared straight ahead, getting into a large sport utility vehicle with his attorneys.
If convicted, he could face a sentence of between four years and life in prison. And anyone convicted of a sexual offense must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Across the street from the courthouse the media assembled in numbers rarely seen in a celebrity court case since the murder trial of O.J. Simpson, who was found not guilty of murdering his wife and her friend.
Gannett, who refused last week to let Bryant stay home during the hearing, allowed cameras to be present in the courtroom. As if the public didn't get enough of Bryant during the day there was more Kobe in the evening. Bryant, in a case of bizarre timing, accepted "Athlete of the Year" accolades in a taped broadcast of the Teen Choice awards on the Fox Television Network.
Bureau Report