Bryant denial made accuser 'sick to her stomach,' friend says

CNN ^ | July 21, 2003 | CNN

[Recourse]

EAGLE, Colorado (CNN) --Hearing NBA all-star Kobe Bryant deny the sexual assault charge filed against him made his accuser "sick to her stomach," a friend of the woman said Monday.

Bryant, an all-star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, has been charged with one count of sexual assault. He has steadfastly maintained his innocence, and after the charge was announced Friday, he admitted having sex with his 19-year-old accuser but said the encounter was consensual.

[ernie pantuso]

There is no indictment. There is only a complaint filed by the prosecutor. There is a sealed record that is being dribbled out by people associated with the cops, the prosecutor's office, and the accuser's acquaintances. So, Bryant's folks are dribbling out information that casts the accuser's credibility in a negative light.

I believe that most of the confusion from this case started because the sheriff jumped the gun with the arrest warrant. Early on, there were alleged details that have been subsequently refuted(one example is the "disturbance" coming from the room). The sheriff needed to swear out a few "facts" to get a judge to find probable cause to issue the arrest warrant. Oftentimes, early in investigations, cops will embellish what they have to obtain that warrant. I hazard a guess that is what happened here; thus, when certain details leaked from early in the investigation, they had to be retracted later as the investigation developed.

This will be an interesting case to follow. I have been following many of the threads and I am disappointed at the name-calling from some of the posters with opposing viewpoints--and I am not accusing you of doing so. I don't know what happened and I await the public release of the evidence from both sides. I will give the accused the presumption of innocence until evidence proves otherwise.

[Charles H. (The_r0nin)]

I will give the accused the presumption of innocence until evidence proves otherwise.

That is a reasonable stance. However, will you also give the accuser the presumption of innocence until evidence proves otherwise, as well? That is the key here. Many seem to think that, in order to give Bryant the benefit of the doubt, they must assume the girl is malicious or lying. That is just as big of a travesty as is convicting Bryant without a trial...

[cinFLA]

You have major problems girl.

You got the monthly blues, gal.

[honeygrl]

"LOL ---well I didn't mean that quite that way. I'll be the first to admit we're all speculating. But if you were really first ---I'll admit that too."

it's ok ;-) Once I admitted that everything we say here is 90% speculation based on very few facts, I continued on to pick the side i wanted to defend. If I remember right, you still seem to be in between on it, which is a good place to be as well.

[honeygrl]

"This will ruin the doctor who does rehab there, the hotel and that town as a hub for recovering athletes will be hurt as well. "

I bet there won't be too many athlete's staying at that hotel after this, even though none of it is really their fault.

[cinFLA]

That is the key here. Many seem to think that, in order to give Bryant the benefit of the doubt, they must assume the girl is malicious or lying. That is just as big of a travesty as is convicting Bryant without a trial...

If cooler heads would prevail, yes. But there is major money riding on this one. If Kobe goes to trial, I would estimate that it will cost him and the Lakers and the sponsers over 50 million and a possible NBA championship. If he is guilty, all that and probably another 50 million or more. There only hope is to take the girl out at any cost and take out anyone that challenges them on their many false rumors or logic. To bad but that is life in the fast lane I guess.

[honeygrl]

""Quickies" can be fun...IMHO! :-} "

From a female point of view, I agree. Of course, you don't want only quickies, but they can be fun and exciting when you do want them.

[cinFLA]

I bet there won't be too many athlete's staying at that hotel after this, even though none of it is really their fault.

Sort of like a "Do not Rape Here" posting out front, huh?

[cinFLA]

Once I admitted that everything we say here is 90% speculation based on very few facts,

Speak for yourself, honey.

[cinFLA]

thus, when certain details leaked from early in the investigation, they had to be retracted later as the investigation developed.

What retractions ???

[cinFLA]

Guess this is a "defend Kobe at all costs" thread.

The rumors and slurs are unbelievable. I expect next we will hear that Kobe couldn't satisfy her so she snapped and started after the bodyguards.

[TheOtherOne]

Great screen name. Never seen you before, or just dense until now. (maybe one too many pitches to the head)

[ernie pantuso]

I am willing to consider the accuser's allegations with an open mind. I will not believe that she is a gold-digging, lying, manipulative, psycho, drama-queen who is lying about this until I see or hear evidence that convinces me. I will not, however, give her allegations credibility merely on the basis of the cops vouching for her or the prosecutor filing a complaint. Human judgment in these cases is easily fallible and sex cases have an alarmingly high number of false reports and filings. At this time, I can say neither that she is lying nor that Bryant is guilty. So, for now, to resolve this incongruency I'll presume that he is innocent.

I, too, have known several women--family and friends--who have been rape victims. Most were victims of the so-called date rape assaults, but none reported the crimes because of shame, embarassment, or feelings of guilt. I only found out about them many years after they happened and through 3rd party confidantes. I believe those women were raped, and yet most if not all the creeps would have probably walked for lack of conclusive evidence if charges had been filed.

[TheOtherOne]

I love the blues.

Honest question: In your mind, is there any chance Kobe is innocent?

[cinFLA]

Honest question: In your mind, is there any chance Kobe is innocent?

Yes. And if the evidence shows that, I will be the first to acknowledge that he got a bum deal. But there is probable cause to believe he is guilty and the poor girl does not have Kobe/Lakers million dollar spin machines to help her.

But you will have to admit that Kobe is not the loving husband taking his meals alone in the hotel because he is such a good guy. Right?

[ernie pantuso]

Lurking here since '97. Started occasionally posting two years ago. And I probably have taken one too many to the head; is why I remember Albania's chief export!

[TheOtherOne]

But you will have to admit that Kobe is not the loving husband taking his meals alone in the hotel because he is such a good guy. Right?

I do not know if he is a loving husband. We do know he cheated on his wife. And I agree, he is no good guy for that act. I used to have much respect for him as a man, I no longer do. My hunch is that he is innocent of the criminal charges in spite of his obvious moral failings.

[TheSpottedOwl]

All in twenty minutes, hm?

Hahaha, my ex took between 3 to 10 minutes to get the job done.

[honeygrl]

"Speak for yourself, honey."

What, you have more facts than everyone else here does?

[cyncooper]

Aha!

;)