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, you're not kidding. Can't crack this coconut.
You got that right. I don't let people sway my opinion without good evidence. I'm no reed in the wind.
Trash the alleged victim, straight from the Clinton playbook.
As SGT. Preston of the Yukon said at the conclusion of his program, "King, this case is closed".
So you approve of the media being judge and jury?
Some people are sooo easy to fool.
No [kidding], Sherlock! Do you think anyone thought the tees were printed before he was charged?
I have spoken to Carol McKinley on the phone and she has spoken to the owner of hangmantee's aka hangkobe.com.
Setting aside for the moment that you seem to be waaaaay too personally invested in this whole thing, my response is......"so freeping what?"
Your reply is useless. If you recall correctly, I specifically asked you if you had proof of the following statement:
You alleged in addition that the founders of the site are offering to create shirts hanging Scott Peterson, Hillary, Rush, or Arnold "in a lame attempt to innoculate [sic] themselves from charges of racism." You have brought nothing to the table to back that up besides your insistence that your instincts are oh-so-superior to those of us who don't see racism in wanting a rapist to be brought to justice. Needless to say, I am not impressed.
Until a few days ago they offered a grand total of two products. A bottle cap opener with a four leaf clover and the HANG KOBE T-SHIRTS. I see they have added Michael Jackson another black celebrity apparently worthly of lynching. This brings their product line up to a total of three.
Now, about your obsessive behavior...why in the heck are you annoying a Fox News TV reporter?
So once a girl kisses someone, it's OK for them to be raped?
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."
I'm sorry, I missed the part where they "allowed" the behavior.
He had her by the throat.
Your opinion. Mine is different. I'd think if she wanted to get laid, there wouldn't be bruises and blood.
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