Posted on 12/19/2003 1:29:59 PM PST by Smogger
EAGLE, Colo. -- In an embarrassing admission, the man prosecuting Kobe Bryant said Friday that someone in his office ordered T-shirts that mock the NBA star, including one carrying the words: "I'm not a rapist; I'm just a cheater."
Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert also said he and fellow Bryant prosecutor Greg Crittenden were each given one of the shirts by "an unknown source."
Hurlbert said he immediately disposed of the shirt and Crittenden did so later. Neither wore the shirt, the prosecutor said in a prepared statement.
Hurlbert said "office support staff" had ordered the shirts without his knowledge or authorization -- something he didn't know in October when his office denied any involvement in ordering the shirts -- and that he had taken unspecified action to "address this matter."
He said no money was paid for the shirts.
The issue came up during a pretrial hearing Friday to determine, among other things, what evidence will be allowed at trial. Defense attorney Pamela Mackey called the shirts inflammatory and derogatory, and asked for an investigation. The judge, however, told prosecutors to supply details to the defense by Jan. 5 -- including who is involved.
Last week, Bryant's attorneys asked the judge to help them find out whether sheriff's deputies or prosecution employees had ordered the shirts, accusing the investigating agencies of bias. Mackey mentioned bias again in open court Friday, but did not elaborate.
Bryant, 25, is charged with attacking a 19-year-old employee at a Colorado resort last June. He has said the two had consensual sex.
Officials with the Eagle County sheriff's office have said a company called hangmantees.com gave the office two black T-shirts with a Bryant theme on Oct. 9, the first day of his preliminary hearing.
One has Bryant's No. 8 on the back with the words, "I'm not a rapist; I'm just a cheater." The other lists the costs of Bryant's trip to Eagle County and ends with, "Not bringing your wife to Colorado with you -- priceless.''
Mackey said the shirts have been characterized as racist and "invocative of Klan lynching."
Hurlbert disagreed.
"The shirts may be inappropriate, but they are certainly not racist," he said in the statement. He called the shirts a "peripheral issue that has diverted attention away from the actual issue of the sexual assault charges."
Yeah, I remember. He's playing golf in Florida. So much for this silly theory of yours.
The defense is simply responding the the prosecutions dispicable efforts to play this out in the media. I absolutely am in favor of responding to things in the media in this situation. Better that than risk some naive fool on the jury.
Come talk to me when you or your son is walking the fine line between 'possible rapist' and 'convicted rapist'. Lots of tough talk on a website. Most people like you will cower like a baby when the charges are brought against you.
You may want Sink to prove it, but I'll tell you the defense doesn't have to. You need to appreciate reasonable doubt my friend. Anything else is just naive.
I'll let Pamela Mackey prove it, since she made the insinuation. She likely can prove it, and will, which will raise doubts about where the "injuries" came from.
There's a difference between being an occasional runner ("having sex before") and a marathoner ("sex with three men in three days"). This girl was world-class.
I didn't say it didn't work. I said it's what they go to when there is no defense. That's why Kobots want the trial moved, to get another OJ jury that doesn't care about evidence.
Wow, you prefer cases tried in the media. Like I said, I hope you're never in a position of authority.
Seeing as how I don't rape people, it's highly unlikely I'll be charged with rape so don't hold your breath.
Not to you they don't. For you it's OK for them to tell lies to get a possible rapist off without a trial. You like this trashing of victims.
You need to appreciate reasonable doubt my friend. Anything else is just naive.
What in the world are you talking about?
You shouldn't act like it's true until she proves it. She parsed her words carefully (while at the same time being a sleazoid rumor-monger), so I think it's likely it's not true.
There's a difference between being an occasional runner ("having sex before") and a marathoner ("sex with three men in three days").
Where's your proof she had sex with 3 men in 3 days?
This girl was world-class.
You base your opinion on an unsubstantiated smear campaign by a sleaze lawyer. How fair of you.
Thanks for proving my point.
As soon as I know for sure who the actual victim is, I'll be happy to join your parade.
Howlin, does this guy's points make any sense to you?
There was miniscule evidence of injury to the accuser, but there is definitive proof that she had sex with one, likely two, other men in the same week she encountered Kobe Bryant. So there is reasonable doubt as to who inflicted the injuries.
Where are the other witnesses
She also had sex with the first person she saw after leaving Bryant's room, a week before.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if Pamela Mackey, Bryant's attorney, asks every male witness she cross examines "Did you ever have sex with this woman?", since there seem to be few men in Eagle County who would answer "no."
It's too bad you'd rather decide through the liberal media rather than the courtroom.
Based on my statement I think it's clear I haven't decided who the victim is. Its a shame you can't say the same thing.
You said the defense should play this in the media. It's clear whose side your taking and you don't care about lies about the alleged victim. Terrible.
For someone who claims to ignore me, you sure do post about me a lot. And I haven't bothered you at all since our last run-in and here you come and post about me out of the blue. You just can't stand to leave me alone. Do I mean that much to you? lol
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