Bryant’s lawyers want files sealed

Msnbc.com ^ | 7/22/03

[M 91 u2 K]

THE LOS ANGELES TIMES reported the development in Tuesday’s editions. Several media outlets have applied to have several documents on the investigation unsealed. The Times reported that Bryant’s attorneys filed a 23-page brief objecting to the release of any documents. The files in question reportedly include documents put together by the Eagle County Sheriff’s Department in the days follwing June 30, the day the alleged assault occured. The sheriffs used such documents to gain arrest and search warrants. Bryant, 24, has repeatedly denied sexually assaulting the 19-year-old who had accused him. The six-time All-Star admits only to committing adultery by having consensual sex with the woman at a resort where she worked June 30. According to the Times report, Bryant’s attorneys don’t want any negative information regarding Bryant to be released to the media, fearing it would effect the trial. According to the Times, Bryant’s lawyers argued in the brief that “Investigators for the Sheriff’s Office submitted affidavits recounting their allegations and containing double and triple hearsay.” “Disclosure of the (court file) would unfairly prejudice Mr. Bryant, invade his privacy and the privacy of others, and violate his fundamental right to a fair trial.”

A hearing on whether to make the court file public will be set after Eagle County DA Mark Hurlbert submits his response to the media requests, which he is expected to do Tuesday, the Times reported.

[M 91 u2 K]

It looks like it is impossible for Kobe to get a fair trial in that Colorado county. His lawyers will most likely ask for change of venue. In a county where there are practically no Black citizens at all it is impossible for Kobe to have a trial with a group of his peers. I dont know if Kobe is guilty or not, and people should stop jumping to conclusions based on gut instincts. Kobe just like all American citizens deserves the right to a fair trial by a group of his peers and that small Colorado town is way too biased. I am not saying he should have a trial with a jury full of fellow basketball players, but to have a trial in that town he will get a jury full of people who will sympathize with there local hometown girl over the big scary rich athlete. I predict that DA MArk Hurlbert wont get to try this case and make a big career for himself. He will stay small time where he belongs.

[finnman69]

I predict it does not get moved. So far race is not an issue at all.

[frmrda]

Um, nowhere do you have a right to be tried by a jury of your racial peers. I do predict a change of county venue, but still your premise is wrong. You equate "peer" with "race". That's just wrong.

Acutally given Kobe's public image - not a racial "thug" like Allen Iverson - but rather a well spoken, intellegent, polite man - a jury of his true "peers" would be multimillionares of whatever race.

[sinkspur]

It will be moved to Denver, but Hurlbert will still try it. It's his case.

[Duke Nukum]

I'm of the opinion that Kobe Bryant is guilty. I pretty much leaned that way from the start 'cause he's a sports guy, used to getting catered to, used to getting what he wants.

But with other information coming out in the last few days, I think it all points to sexual assalt. I believe the reason it took her so long to go to the doctor was because he threatened her with the "I'm the big sports star with the sterling rep, you're a redneck white girl from a podunk town, no one will believe you." Something along those lines.

As far as I'm concerned, just being a sports star gives you twenty points in the suspician column.

[M 91 u2 K]

Actually racial composition of a jury does matter. If Kobe faces the prospect of an all white jury that would be grounds for change of venue. I mean if Kobe has to face an all white jury he is toast. A big rich black athlete accused of raping a white girl faces no chance of a fair trial in a small white town. That same if true vice versa if lets say a white athlete such as Mark Mcguwire was accused of raping a black girl and had to face an all black jury he would be toast. That fact is the racial composition of the jury matters. No way in hell will Kobe's lawyers let him face an all white jury.

[newgeezer]

In a county where there are practically no Black citizens at all it is impossible for Kobe to have a trial with a group of his peers.

Puh-leeze. You tell everyone to "stop jumping to conclusions based on gut instincts" while you presume to paint everyone in that town with your own broad brush?

[PoisedWoman]

As far as I'm concerned, just being a sports star gives you twenty points in the suspician column.

Fair enough if you also give twenty points to victims who are known basketball groupies, who have made suicide attempts over boyfriends, and who show up at celebrities' hotel rooms to discuss sports philosophy.

If the vic is entitled to her privacy, isn't the alleged perp entitled to the same until he is proved guilty?

[A CA Guy]

Wow, the woman tried to kill herself off with pills and there are witnesses saying she was discussing KOBE at a party including how he was hung and you think she is honorable in her claim? You do have strong prior leanings to be still singing your tune with all the negative problems with the accuser.

[A CA Guy]

Considering she tried to kill herself just weeks ago, that doesn't seem to be a mentality who is stable enough to press rape charges on her word.
Then you have witnesses regarding her ambition and how she was NOT shook up about the event at a recent party.

It would should be a felony to even let this go to trial.

[Dolphy]

A big rich black athlete accused of raping a white girl faces no chance of a fair trial in a small white town. That same if true vice versa if lets say a white athlete such as Mark Mcguwire was accused of raping a black girl and had to face an all black jury he would be toast

So your premise is that all people are racists? Who are Kobe's peers, men? Just black men? Just black men who are among the NBA elite? Maybe the Lakers team could be the jury. This isn't some small town in the deep south, I would hope that there would be some burden on the defense to show a history of racism that would warrant a change of venue. Simply saying that an all white jury is incapable of fair mindedness is absurd. I have friends in that area who say that the rumors run both for and against Kobe, it is not a single minded community.

[Duke Nukum]

Well, if she is a basket ball groupie, then yeah, that does put some points in the "false claim" column. But not the suicide attempt.

Its kind of hard for a public figure to maintain his or her privacy under the best of circumstances. It becomes even harder once you start inviting alleged basketball groupies up to your room to discuss their insights in sports philosophy.

[ThreeYearLurker]

What are you talking about, Willis?

[Duke Nukum]

What does her suicide attempt have to do with anything?

This is the first I heard of these party witnesses, but even is she said that, so what? Kobe is suposed to be this Mr. Clean and is now admitting to adultry at the least.

My gut says he's guilty and I have to live with my gut.

[JLS]

Exactly, now there might be some reasons to like a relative in a public position to legitimately move the trial. Heck even him being an outsider and her being a well known local might be a reason, but race is not.

[BushCountry]

Look at a the crap that is slung on the victum, but we can't be privy to what the police used in their investigation! This is BS. Why is he trying to keep even the basic story of what happened secret?

Next, for you hero worshippers of Kobe. He brought this upon himself!!!! I can not work up the energy to feel sorry for him. Even if he didn't rape her, he is a major league idiot.

1. He had unprotected sex with a stranger he just met. He did this in front of his three body guards. Everything that I read, states that the bodyguards were in the room when room service was called. In fact, room service was for the four of them. They all had to give police statements. They followed him in a cab and acted very strange according to the cabbie.

2. He possibly exposed his wife to several STDs or maybe even a death sentence through AIDS. For all he knew about her, she could have been a hooker in some large city servicing every man in a twenty block area, then returned to her home town to recuperate.

3. He exposed the girl to a possible pregency. This is all the world needs, is another forgotten and uncare for bastard child. His primary thought was that if he was unlucky maybe he could throw a few dollars at it (the baby) to make it go away.

4. He gambled his future earnings, just getting caught in the act of infidelity and tarnishing his reputation without the rape allegation could cost him millions of dollars.

5. He drags his wife out to face public ridicule and humiliation during his strange press conference declaring his adultry. He is a major class jerk just for this alone.

Actually the list goes on... But, just so you know where I stand, I have a slight feeling that he did rape her, but no proof (his conduct in the cab leaving the hospital, torn clothing and his crying statement on TV rings false).

[sinkspur]

You've posted that same list at least fifteen times in the last three days.

We've ALL read it.

Got any new ideas?

[BushCountry]

I added number 5 today. But, it seems to stop the stupid prattle that Kobe is a victum.

[#3Fan]

Look at this, Bryant's lawyers don't want information released. Here's some of that evidence that we are all waiting to see. Are you angry that we have to wait for the trial to see it?

[BushCountry]

I also want to know the facts of the case and so far Kobe is hiding behind his lawyers (fighting to seal records) and wife's shirts.