WE'LL KO KOBE: DA

NY Post ^ | August 6, 2003 | DOUGLAS MONTERO, BARRY BORTNICK and DAN MANGAN

[ellery]

The prosecutor in the Kobe Bryant rape case says he has slam-dunk evidence to prove the NBA superstar's guilt, it was revealed on the eve of the hoopster's first court appearance today. Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert made that strong claim in court papers arguing against making public the police affidavit written to justify Bryant's arrest early last month.

[Dolphy]

Well, since I've seen the courtroom close up, I don't have that kind of faith at all; the assertion that the DA wouldn't go forward without solid evidence is just laughable. It happens all the time.

You don't have a monopoly on courtroom experience, Howlin. Of course, cases make it to court that have no business being there, but unless you are saying it's the rule, calling a "certain amount of faith" laughable speaks to a cynicism that I don't have. I find it as distasteful as those who slant against Kobe because of their notion of black basketball players, males or ones personal wealth. I will gladly put my certain amount of faith in the institutions before a young woman or man that I don't know. In the end any verdict may be just the reflection of a culture gone wrong or the best that money can buy.

[cyncooper]

My, you're getting kind of touchy lately, just like sinkspur said.

Me? Heck no.

But there's no need for YOU to be rude to me.

Get it?

[OPS4]

Most of this was allready in the news, so I am not happy.
Now that I know it has come out just today in the court
and we allready heard it, tells me I am right to be leary.

Ops4 God BLess America!

[nyconse]

We feed the monster. The media wouldn't report on this case or others, if we didn't watch or read the reports: I am guilty of an excessive interest in this case-don't know why.

[PhiKapMom]

Saying this case is a slam-dunk by the prosecution is dumb and dumber and I will continue to say that!

He should keep his personal opinions out of any court filing!

Personally I think the media coverage is way over blown -- hour after hour of sources is tainting the evidence if you ask me. Don't reporters have a sense of "innocent until proven guilty" or "beyond a reasonable shadow of doubt" -- the answer is NO -- what they want are ratings and frankly I find this whole deal disgusting.

I don't excuse Bryant, but any 19-year old that goes to an NBA players room at 11:00 at night cannot have too many brains! Was she there on hotel business -- would bet the answer to that is NO!

Personally wouldn't give you two cents for any of the participants including the DA! And the media gets an "F" IMO!

[Howlin]

In the end any verdict may be just the reflection of a culture gone wrong or the best that money can buy.

Absolutely.

[Howlin]

Well, I'm sorry if you think asking you if you haven't had your TV on today is rude, that's for sure. I won't make that mistake again.

[PhiKapMom]

That is my problem as well -- all the leaks to the media are just plain wrong and the media is wrong to broadcast them as soon as they get them.

Whatever happened to double sourcing before you report -- that is missing with the media!

The media seems to have convicted him without a trial and Freepers are going right along with it! Yep -- we must believe everything the press reports because their sources are always right!

This whole thing is disgusting! The media should be ashamed and so should people that convict him off of what they hear/see in the media!

[rolling_stone]

As for keeping a victim's name withheld, if the law does that it should do the same IMO for the accused...what happened to equal rights ?

Hmmm... Some consider it an injustice NOT to reveal the names of the accused. Isn't this what happens in some countries and we object to secret charges and proceedings? hmmm.......

I should have been more specific..IMO If you are going to keep one name out of the media then you should keep both out. I am not for keeping the name out of records, but want both victim/accuser and suspect subject to the same treatment.....I understand the reluctance to publish a victims name because of damage to reputation etc, but the same works for the suspect..I imagine many people would rather be accused of robbing a bank than of sexually assaulting someone....one is illegal, moraly and ethically wrong the other is the same plus repugnant and perverted...once the bell as wrung, it is hard to take it back...most headlines are on the front pages and most retractions are on the back pages....

[OPS4]

Amen! Bump!
Ops4 God BLess America!

[cyncooper]

cyncooper said we all knew this;

I did?

I said that since the false imprisonment charge had been part of the original arrest that it wasn't something the girl *just* concocted*, as in your use of the word "NOW".

If you hadn't deduced the obvious implications from the arrest, oh,well.

Part of the stories (and I am not saying they are proven true--how would I know?) have included that when she tried to leave he wouldn't let her so no, this wasn't "news" to me.

[Howlin]

Of course, you must know I'm talking about the *details* that have been released today.

If you hadn't deduced the obvious implications from the arrest, oh,well.

No, I haven't. I'm still waiting for some FACTS, not just media speculation. Lots of these stories have fallen by the way side as we've progressed through this.

[nyconse]

Should the people who attack the victim and call her a slut, gold-digger, mental case etc be ashamed of destroying the victim's reputation based on media reports? It cuts both ways. Also, about the double sources for the media- ESPN has said they are going with one source-if it appears to be realiabe (from an actual witness or a very credible source). I don't think the media is interested in fairness-just ratings.

[cyncooper]

Personally I think the media coverage is way over blown

Good Lord--I just turned on the tv a little while ago and the hoopla over this hearing is way over the top.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Court TV talking heads are all saying that Kobe was way underdressed for his court hearing and should have been wearing a collared shirt and tie.

His wardrobe showed that he thinks that he is above it all because he's a celebrity and they are surprised that his attorneys let him show up like that.

I agree. When in court, you dress appropriately.

[EllaMinnow]

Fill me in, please!
I always get phone calls at the most inopportune times.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Few states hold that open adultery is a misdemeanor. Does CA or CO? No, I don't believe so.

[nyconse]

The article from ABC news about vaginal tearing is now posted:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/959438/posts

[justshe]

I think, for this hearing, his attire was completely appropriate.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Turn on Court TV. They have a great panel on.

This is what Kobe was wearing. A casual coat and polo shirt. He should have had on a suit and tie.

Now we learn that Kobe's dad was caught in the 70s in a car with a woman and cocaine. They also thought that Kobe's wife should have been there with him, but then again, she does have a baby at home. Kobe had no family with him.