[in the news] Bryant charged with sexual assault

[KJAX]

Entire article from ESPN. (http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0718/1582691.html)


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.



Simply another case of a man being FVcking stupid.

[phatcat]

I second that motion

[Zarkazm]

Simply another case of a man fvcking stupidly.

[Iron Archer]

pretty bad when you're too rich and too proud to just tug one off :)

[The Dopefish]

First of all, I'll be f*cking shocked if he gets any jailtime. As we all know, the rich and famous generally get treated far better than the average person and Kobe should be no different.

Second, I'll be even more shocked if he gets more than the minimum sentence, should he be jailed. The senetence could range from 4 years to life in jail.

Third, I'll be dumbfounded if this truly interferes with this career.

[L_S]

f*cking dirtbag....

[Justin286]

I really don't know who's dumber in this case.
I mean, seriously, why the hell is a damn desk clerk doing food deliveries to a room and exactly what the hell did she think he was inviting her in for?
And him, you'd think the least he coulda done was wrap it up. But nooo. Heck, I'm surprised he would do something that stupid especially with people out there who'd try anything to scam him on something.
Oh well.

[phillys]

Simply another case of a man fvcking stupidly.

agree! :tup:

[KJAX]

Simply another case of a man fvcking stupidly.

I concur. :tup:

[tool]

why are people already assuming he is guilty when he hasnt even gone to court yet, and nothing more then a accusation has come up? Im wondering who the real idiots are here...

[L_S]

why are people already assuming he is guilty when he hasnt even gone to court yet, and nothing more then a accusation has come up? Im wondering who the real idiots are here...


Ugh, let's see...he already admitted he had sex with the chick. No we don't know if it was forced yet, but no matter the end result he's a piece of trash in my book and deserves whatever he has coming to him.

[Justin286]

Yep, that's a great argument. Really.
Glad you're not on the jury.

[Clayeth]

I'm surprised he would do something that stupid especially with people out there who'd try anything to scam him on something.
Oh well.
Yeah, that plus the reputation he has of being one of the more intelligent players out there right now, just makes no sense why he would force himself on her, it's not like he couldn't get a piece of just about whoever he wants (even though he's married). If it turns out being nothing more than a he said, she said situation, he'll get off with nothing.

[[IsP]KaRnAgE]

He is still a stupid ass for cheating on his wife. He deserves what he gets IMO.

[Clayeth]

America would be screwed if people were all getting for years in jail for cheating :lol:

[[IsP]KaRnAgE]

Yeah yeah but I really don't care what happens to him. He wouldn't be in this situation if he didn't act like a moron. I can't feel sorry for people like him at all.

[Hadmar]

That's realy a great argument. Hey, lets have the death sentence for illegal parking. They broke the law and deserve it couse they acted like a moron. :rolleyes:

[[IsP]KaRnAgE]

Illegal parking would get you a ticket. And I don't see how it could lead into being charged for a horrible crime. He did something stupid, and completely unnecessary, despite being blessed with fame, fortune and talent. He couldn't keep his dick in his pants? Was he obligated to cheat on his wife? He did something stupid, and now he has to deal with the consequences. That is how it is supposed to go. It's not like the man was no where near the woman. He chose to have sex with her behind his wife's back. He made a screwed up choice and now he is in trouble because she pressed charges. He wouldn't be in this situation if he didn't think with his penis.




EDIT: Maybe I'm being too hard on him but I just hate it when these rich types screw up. Pisses me off. :/

[Hadmar]

Cheating on your wife gets you in trouble with your wife. That are the consequences if that's all he did. Nothing more. And nothing more would be deserved.

[Clayeth]

KaRnAgE']Illegal parking would get you a ticket. And I don't see how it could lead into being charged for a horrible crime. He did something stupid, and completely unnecessary, despite being blessed with fame, fortune and talent. He couldn't keep his dick in his pants? Was he obligated to cheat on his wife? He did something stupid, and now he has to deal with the consequences. That is how it is supposed to go. It's not like the man was no where near the woman. He chose to have sex with her behind his wife's back. He made a screwed up choice and now he is in trouble because she pressed charges. He wouldn't be in this situation if he didn't think with his penis.




EDIT: Maybe I'm being too hard on him but I just hate it when these rich types screw up. Pisses me off. :/

No, you love seeing people with more than you look worse than you do, it makes you feel good.

[[IsP]KaRnAgE]

I don't feel good? Not at all, especially with what I've been dealing with lately. It does piss me off to see people who are better off screw up for the stupidest reasons. If it made me feel good shouldn't I have been laughing at him or something, or been mentioning how much better I'm living my life despite not being rich? I don't understand why you would think that. :/ I just reread my posts. Don't recall me saying I think he should be killed. I said he was a moron, and I don't care what happens to him. Am I not allowed to not care what happens to people who make poor decisions despite being blessed? Sure people cheat on their spouses all the time. I know that, I'm not an idiot. But he is rich, young, popular, and talented. People looked up to him ffs. He's has the things so many want and he wanted more? He really needs to bang some chick when he has a wife already? Wtf more did he want?

Cheating on your wife gets you in trouble with your wife. That are the consequences if that's all he did. Nothing more. And nothing more would be deserved.
I know that. But when you are a celebrity, and very wealthy, things are a bit different. First off, if you get caught cheating, when you are a nobody, the only people who are going to really care are those directly effected. Also, the person you had your fling with aren't going to suddenly press charges on you in the hopes of getting your money. Common sense should have told him that doing something so stupid puts him at risk for scandal.

I think it is fairly obvious that he will likely not get jail time anyway, and if he does, you have to ask yourself, in the end, who's fault was this REALLY. It isn't like he just looked at her and suddenly he is charged with something. He did something WRONG. And now something WORSE is happening. These are the consequences of his actions. Is it unfortunate? Probably so. I'm not forbidding anyone from feeling sorry for him. I only said I don't feel sorry for him. And I'm NOT the only one in this thread who said I hope he gets what he deserves.

[Clayeth]

I never said you didn't feel good. I just stated something that is common knowledge, most poeple love seeing poeple with more than them screw up. They also like to tear them down.

- Kobe cheated on his wife, so even if he's innocent of the actual crime he should go to jail

- Britney Spears had sex with her boyfriend... goddamn, she's a ****ing slut

Just a couple examples of threads here that show how people love to see celebrities screw up. And then when it happens, they jump their ass.

[L_S]

I'm just sick of people who can't keep it in their pants especially when they have kids too. How immature is that, show some friggn responsibility.

[Doc_EDo]

I agree with [IsP]KaRnAgE.
Also his behaviour shows that he's a scum of the earth, and if he becomes someones biatch in prison, that would be something he brought on himself.

[Sam_The_Man]

KaRnAgE']Illegal parking would get you a ticket.

Not if you spit in the policeman's eye and the jury doesn't like you.

Jesus, considering how many men apparently cheat on their wives - it's about, what, 1 in 5, and that's only those who admitted it to the pollster? - the BuF Off Topic forum is apparently the Saint Christian White-Arsed Holy Society.

[Clayeth]

BuF Off Topic forum is apparently the Saint Christian White-Arsed Holy Society.
:lol:

[El Diablo]

Simply another case of a man fvcking stupidly.

Exactly :biggrin2:

[Hadmar]

I agree with [IsP]KaRnAgE.
Also his behaviour shows that he's a scum of the earth, and if he becomes someones biatch in prison, that would be something he brought on himself.
If I combine that with your post in the french ban the term email thread...
Yes, the French are very egotistic nation and I remember how they supported Serbs in the war in Bosnia, enough to be lynched and nuked IMO.
... I can't help but think that you are a troll. And in case you aren't and realy mean what you post I can only hope that you never ever get into a position of power, no matter how minor and that includes the hope that you never have offspring.

[Doc_EDo]

... I can't help but think that you are a troll. And in case you aren't and realy mean what you post I can only hope that you never ever get into a position of power, no matter how minor and that includes the hope that you never have offspring.
So, if I don't agree with you I'm a troll?
Omg, who allows ppl like this to live? :rolleyes:

[Hadmar]

So, if I don't agree with you I'm a troll?
Omg, who allows ppl like this to live? :rolleyes:
Nice try but no cigar.

[[IsP]KaRnAgE]

Eh, where did I bring religion into this. All I have said so far is that he did something stupid and wrong and now, he is in even worse trouble. This is trouble he wouldn't have been in had he not acted like a fool. I also said I know that other people cheat on their spouses, but this thread isn't about them, is it?

[KJAX]

Jesus, considering how many men apparently cheat on their wives - it's about, what, 1 in 5, and that's only those who admitted it to the pollster? - the BuF Off Topic forum is apparently the Saint Christian White-Arsed Holy Society.

:lol: :tup:

[desperado]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid70/p21d7414940341fe5bc0d38460848914f/fba2e401.jpg

For those who don't know it yet the chick on the pic is the one who accused him (obviously kobe was "added" on this one :) )

[Beowolf]

I know you guys will be able to relate to this, and those who say the don't are damned liars.

Excuse me being blunt: You know when you're going along your business, and you suddendly see something arousing? Really, it doesn't take much. If you don't tear away immediatly, pretty soon you will have no....choice....but to beat the meat. I know you know what I mean. Jr. just takes over from there.

I am not saying what he did isn't wrong, I am just saying it is understandable.

[Iron Archer]

He's not scum, he's just being like every other athlete out there :)

Oh and Sam, please... calm down. I heard a good explanation a week ago about why some celebrities--like Hugh Grant--hire hookers. With hookers, you do the deed, pay, and there's no "call me later", no "I'll go to the cops if you don't give me $xxx", etc. If Kobe truly was smart, he'd have payed the $$$ to get a professional, not some minimum wage hotel worker with the potential of bringing him down with a few words.

[tool]

ooh and what about this dumb bloke who is accusing him of assault? Thats a pretty serious accusation, not to mention it has ruined his reputation, even if he is found innocent. That he doesnt deserve. No matter what it turns out a lose/lose situation for Bryant, which is a shame if he is innocent, because this is a personal matter that the public doesnt need to know about, and the news media doesnt need to report on no matter how much the stupid people out there want to know about it... damn news media. :rolleyes:

[Clayeth]

Apparently this same girl was treated for a drug overdose the month before this whole thing happened... sounds like a real winner to me :rolleyes:

Friends of the 19-year-old Colorado woman who accused basketball star Kobe Bryant*of raping her confirmed reports Sunday that the woman was recently hospitalized for a drug overdose.
The Orange County Register reported Sunday that the young woman had overdosed on drugs about a month before the alleged sexual assault incident with*Los Angeles Lakers*guard Bryant.
Friends of Bryant's accuser have since confirmed to Fox News that an overdose did happen -- possibly of over-the-counter sleeping pills -- because the woman was distraught about a breakup with a longtime boyfriend.
There were two calls to police from the accuser's home May 30 and June 1, both related to the suicide attempt. The young woman was deeply upset over a discovery that her longtime boyfriend had cheated on her, her friends told Fox News.
http://www.fox41.com/news/news_detail.asp?id=9281&section=2

[KJAX]

Apparently this same girl was treated for a drug overdose the month before this whole thing happened... sounds like a real winner to me :rolleyes:


http://www.fox41.com/news/news_detail.asp?id=9281&section=2

Hmmm, with this being a character trial and all, this puts a serious dent in her character.

[Sam_The_Man]

Oh and Sam, please... calm down. I heard a good explanation a week ago about why some celebrities--like Hugh Grant--hire hookers. With hookers, you do the deed, pay, and there's no "call me later", no "I'll go to the cops if you don't give me $xxx", etc. If Kobe truly was smart, he'd have payed the $$$ to get a professional, not some minimum wage hotel worker with the potential of bringing him down with a few words.

I never said he shouldn't have, merely that for everyone to condemn this guy as they have is rather surprising, considering that he's hardly the only guy to have ever slept around. To say what I said before in a slightly less rhetorical way - either the denizens of BuF are extremely moral, or there's a lot of hypocrisy going on.

[Clayeth]

/me votes for choice #2