Author Topic: Judge Releases some records in Kobe Bryant case... (Read 99 times)

PLANT · « **on:** September 03, 2003, 02:55:21 PM »

DENVER (AP) -- Authorities looking to arrest Kobe Bryant on a sexual assault charge also wanted to charge him with false imprisonment, according to a copy of the arrest warrant unsealed Wednesday.

A handful of records in the case against the NBA superstar were released to the public by an Eagle County judge, including a bonding document with an "X" where Bryant's signature would be. The records contain few details, but provide a glimpse of how authorities put together their case.

Bryant, 25, is charged with raping a 19-year-old employee at a Colorado resort where he was a guest June 30. Bryant has said the two had consensual sex and an Oct. 9 preliminary hearing will determine whether the case will go to trial.

Authorities have not said what allegedly happened in Bryant's hotel suite. The Los Angeles Lakers guard was ultimately charged with a single count of felony sexual assault.

However, the July 3 arrest warrant said there was "probable cause" Bryant was also guilty of false imprisonment, a misdemeanor.

Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert has said he believes he could prove the assault charge beyond a reasonable doubt. He has not said the arrest warrant also included the false imprisonment charge, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine up to $1,000.

The prosecutor probably chose to drop that charge to avoid the risk of a conviction on false imprisonment rather than the more serious assault charge, Denver criminal defense attorney Dan Recht said.

"The jury won't know it's a class 2 misdemeanor, and won't even know it's a misdemeanor. False imprisonment has a serious ring to it," Recht said.

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A handful of documents were released to the public by an Eagle County judge.

Another document says police obtained samples of physical evidence from Bryant, including his clothing. Specific types of evidence were not listed, but Recht said it could include blood, pubic hair or genetic material.

"This is very routine, it happens in most sexual assault cases," Recht said. "Frankly, given that he is admitting that he had intercourse with her, it's pretty meaningless."

Calls to Bryant's attorneys, the district attorney and the Eagle County sheriff's office were not immediately returned.

Also unsealed was Judge Russell Granger's order allowing Bryant to leave Colorado on July 4, about a half-hour after he surrendered to authorities. Bryant remains free on $25,000 bond.

Bail bondsman Richard Jordan of ABC Bonding -- the first bonding company listed in the Eagle County phonebook -- met with Bryant to bond him out of jail. Jordan said he saw Bryant, but would not discuss what he saw or heard during the meeting.

An "X" appears in place of Bryant's signature on the bond document.

Earlier this week, media organizations filed notice that they will appeal Judge Frederick Gannett's order to withhold from the public most of the detailed court records in the case.

Prosecutors have said they will not appeal Gannett's order. Bryant's attorneys have not indicated their plans.