Testimony of Bryant's accuser delayed

Baltimore Sun ^ | March 2, 2004 | Steve Henson

[Smogger]

EAGLE, Colo. - Kobe Bryant's attorneys went on the offensive yesterday, making controversial allegations about the sexual activity of the woman who has accused the Los Angeles Lakers star of rape. The defense said during a pretrial hearing and in a court filing that the woman has had sex with two prosecution witnesses and that she also had intercourse only hours after her encounter with Bryant.

Early yesterday, Judge Terry Ruckriegle denied a motion by the prosecution to limit defense questioning of the woman. But after the lunch recess, the judge rescinded that decision.

It was not entirely clear why the judge had a change of heart, but some observers suggested he might have taken exception to defense attorney Hal Haddon's written motion.

Acting on a request from Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert, Ruckriegle said he would take the motion under advisement and postponed the woman's testimony until at least March 24, the date of the next scheduled hearing.

Haddon had told Ruckriegle that swabs of semen taken from the neck, thigh and vaginal area of the 19-year-old accuser during an examination 15 hours after the alleged rape were from a man other than Bryant.

Hurlbert objected to the comment, prompting an extended private conversation between the judge and attorneys.

Haddon did not mention the woman's sexual conduct again, but in a court document filed over the weekend and made public yesterday, he offered several reasons why it is relevant and should be an exception to the state's rape shield law.

[MizSterious]

You are correct. Many avoid sex for a long time afterwards, even with loving husbands.

[Smogger]

OJ and Kobe are apples and oranges. OJ was "who dunnit" while Kobe is "was anything done?"

[onyx]

Let me tell you something Wally. This "thang" is NOT the trial --- it is the preliminary hearing. I wholly doubt this case will go to trial.

[Howlin]

I'm still trying to figure out how you show up for a rape exam with somebody else's sperm on your body........LOL.

[Smogger]

Well actually the prelim is over. This is a hearing on a motion to pierce to rape shield law. And there are some other evidentary motions too.

[onyx]

You are correct. Many avoid sex for a long time afterwards, even with loving husbands.

Yes, I know, because my husband has treated/counseled several rape victims over the years.

[Howlin]

I have my doubts about the sex AFTERWARDS; but I am not buying the "I put on an old pair of undies and really old sperm transferred to my leg/neck/vagina" explanation.

[mercy]

It's even crazier that anybody believes this psychotic slut. (proven fact: she was prescribed antipsychotic medication)

[onyx]

Well whatever, it is NOT the trial.

[sinkspur]

It is absolutely sickening the way you are persecuting this poor girl.

See, I've followed this case, on a weekly basis, and know exactly what has been said and disclosed. You haven't. You automatically assume that when a girl screams "rape", she must be believed. I don't.

All the evidence points to the conclusion that this was indeed a rape.

On the contrary, the more evidence that is revealed, the more this looks like a mentally disturbed girl who was trying to get her boyfriend's attention, and get a little on the side, as well.

[MizSterious]

And somehow I doubt she wore her underwear round her neck!

[Howlin]

while the defense has said she slept with "multiple" partners that week — including someone less than 15 hours after her encounter with Bryant.

You know, Pam Mackey has been proven right every single time; but, for the life of me, I just cannot wrap my mind around that one.

[mercy]

O! M! G!

YOU support Kobe?!

I want to switch sides. HANG HIM!!!

[Howlin]

Come on now; you know that's the beauty of FR; agree on somethings, disagree on others.

[MizSterious]

Or the, um, other-than-Bryant DNA on her neck. She must have stunk to high heaven--dirty clothes, no baths or showers...!!

[sinkspur]

You know, Pam Mackey has been proven right every single time; but, for the life of me, I just cannot wrap my mind around that one.

If she had sex with the bellhop after the rape, how in hell does Hurlburt characterize that? She was "distraught" so she has sex again, torn vagina and all with her consoler?

Mackey definitely has the upper hand here.

[onyx]

LOL -- now yall "know" how it got there. Can't write it here, but think spillage.

[mercy]

Common psychotic behaviour.