Published: Sep 18, 2003
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Patrick Graber, of El Segundo, Calif., was taken into custody by Los Angeles County sheriff's investigators and FBI agents, the Sheriff's Department said in a press release.
Graber, 31, was booked and held on $1 million bail.
The investigation began Sept. 8 after security personnel employed by Bryant said they had received a letter from Graber saying he could solve Bryant's problems, the Sheriff's Department said.
A security official met with Graber and then contacted sheriff's investigators. A meeting was arranged with Graber and undercover sheriff's detectives.
The detectives concluded that Graber was offering to commit murder and they contacted the accuser's family in her home state of Colorado and authorities there to advise them of the alleged threat.
The Sheriff's Department said there were several more meetings with Graber in which payment for the murder was arranged. It was not clear whether any money changed hands.
Bryant, 25, is charged with raping a 19-year-old employee of a mountain resort in Eagle County, Colo., on June 30. He has said the two had consensual sex.
Also Thursday, authorities said an investigation requested by Bryant's defense team has cleared the Eagle County sheriff and district attorney of leaking details about the case to the media.
Sheriff Joe Hoy said he had no doubt his office would be cleared.
"We just do not spread leaks or allow leaks to happen," he said.
District Attorney Mark Hurlbert did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Defense attorney Pamela Mackey did not return a call.
A number of print and broadcast media stories have detailed the investigation and quoted anonymous sources. County Court Judge Frederick Gannett, who had already issued a gag order in the case, ordered the investigation after Bryant's defense complained.
Pitkin County investigators cleared authorities in Eagle County, but it remained unclear who is leaking details to the media.
Free on $250,000 bond, Bryant faces an Oct. 9 preliminary hearing to determine whether he will stand trial. He faces up to four years to life in prison if convicted.
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Associated Press writer Robert Weller in Denver contributed to this article.
AP-ES-09-18-03 2036EDT
LINK HERE: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAWIGIHRKD.html
