Kobe Bryant Arrested for Sexual Assault!

[CarolinaCutie]

Bryant turns himself in on felony count of sexual assault
By COLLEEN SLEVIN, Associated Press Writer
July 6, 2003

DENVER (AP) -- Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant turned himself in to police and posted a $25,000 bond on a felony count of sexual assault, the Eagle County sheriff's office said Sunday.

The 24-year-old All-Star guard was released after turning himself in on Friday.

The sheriff's office said an arrest warrant was issued after deputies investigated a report made Wednesday claiming sexual misconduct by Bryant.

The report said the incident happened on the night of June 30 in a hotel in the Edwards area of Eagle County, near Vail.

After a series of interviews and a review of the physical evidence, investigators met with representatives for District Attorney Mark Hurlbert and concluded they had enough evidence for the felony sexual assault count, the sheriff's office said in a statement.

"During the investigation, Bryant was cooperative with investigators and remains cooperative with authorities,'' the sheriff's office said.

Judge Russell Granger ordered the case sealed.

Attempts to reach Bryant for comment were not immediately successful.

"These allegations are completely out of character of the Kobe Bryant we know,'' Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. ``For the seven years he's been with us, he has been one of the finest young men we've known and a wonderful asset to both our team and our community.

``However, since this is a legal matter being handled by the authorities in Colorado, we must refrain from further comment at this time.''

Bryant was the NBA's second-leading scorer last season, averaging a career-best 30 points a game. He scored 40 or more points in nine straight games in February and also had career-high averages of 6.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists while playing in each of the Lakers' 82 games.

The Lakers were eliminated from the Western Conference semifinals by the San Antonio Spurs, ending Los Angeles' run of three straight NBA championships.

Bryant underwent shoulder surgery on June 12 in New York. The Lakers expect he'll be ready by the start of training camp in October.

Bryant married Vanessa Laine in April 2001. Bryant and his parents recently mended a rift that developed when he became engaged to Laine when she was an 18-year-old high school student.

Vanessa, gave birth to their first child, Natalia Diamante Bryant, in January.

I'M SIMPLY SPEECHLESS ABOUT THIS!

[aDRUfan4LiFe]

Well, I don't know if he did it or not, but I wouldn't be surprised. Sometimes people mess us and they are not perfect. Sooo.......well just have to wait and see.
It would be a shame if he did it!

[DruDiamond]

Probably jus another lyin azz trick tryna beat somebody outta some $$$ I don't like Kobe that much but I'm hopin it's not true cuz that would seriously look bad on his resume.

[Neo]

aDRUfan4LiFe said:

Well, I don't know if he did it or not, but I wouldn't be surprised. Sometimes people mess us and they are not perfect. Sooo.......well just have to wait and see.
It would be a shame if he did it!

True that. That is all I can say...

[CarolinaCutie]

Here's his mugshot that I just came across...::SMH::

[Neo]

Is that really kobe bryant? BTW can someone fill me in on the sausage scenario in a basball game? I know a little of it but I don't know the whole story. But my reaction was: oh my god! wha's the matter with u!?

[CarolinaCutie]

Here's the link from Yahoo regardin' the baseball/sausage issue, Neo. I had only heard bits and pieces about it on the radio and television. This is crazy! story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=545&ncid=757&e=10&u=/ap/20030712/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbn_pirates_simon_suspended

[Neo]

I've seen clips of te incident on TV and heard bits of clips of it also...but thanks for the link.

[CarolinaCutie]

July 18, 2003 -- EAGLE, Colo. -- Kobe Bryant was charged Friday with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in a case that is bound to tarnish the career of the NBA superstar.

The 24-year-old Bryant faces four years to life in prison if convicted on the single felony count, Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert said during a news conference.

The woman worked the front desk at the resort where Bryant was staying while in the state for knee surgery.

The Los Angeles Lakers' guard insisted he was innocent of the charge, saying he was guilty only of adultery.

"Nothing that happened June 30th was against the will of the woman who now falsely accuses me,'' Bryant said in a statement.

His wife, Vanessa, also released a statement, saying she stood by her husband. "He is not a criminal,'' she said.

Bryant's attorney, Pamela Mackey, scheduled a news conference for later Friday.

Hurlbert refused to talk about the details of the case.

He said he reviewed all evidence during the last two weeks and consulted prosecutors around the state before making his decision.

"This did not come easily,'' he said.

Bryant, free on $25,000 bail, must return to court in Eagle on Aug. 6 for an advisement hearing.
Yahoo Sports

Ah well...only thing I can say about this breaking news is what's done in darkness eventually comes to the light. ::SMH::

[Neo]

I feel bad for Kobe...but that 19-year-old better take a lie detector test 'cause I think she's lying! Why the madness in the world?!

[Chris]

I don't believe Kobe is guilty of rape. Well, not until he hires Johnny Cochran ;D

[sweetgapeach]

All i'm going to say is, its amazing how fans and fanatics get themselves into situations and then when they realize that they are not coming out on top they have to tell lies juss to make them feel good.

I mean come on now, I donn't believe for one second that this girl was assulated by Bryany,what I think happened is that she came up to him propositioned him and had sex wit him, maybe she wanted something more, and he said no, it was just this one time. so she got mad and decided to say that he forced her. I mean come on star or not, if I tell you to stop touching me and you don't stop I know how to scream. How come anybody didn't hear her screaming? Makes no sense to me.
Sounds like a C-O-N- spiracy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CarolinaCutie]

After watching a clip of Kobe on TV earlier today from his press conference on yesterday, I wanna believe that he's innocent of the rape charge. However, it's unfortunate that he put himself in the situation of havin' relations with his accuser by his own admittance. That was NOT a smart move on his behalf and I think it's safe to say that he's learnin' a hard lesson from this now. And boy is it gonna be somethin' if it's discovered that this chick was indeed lyin'!

[aDRUfan4LiFe]

CarolinaCutie said:

After watching a clip of Kobe on TV earlier today from his press conference on yesterday, I wanna believe that he's innocent of the rape charge. However, it's unfortunate that he put himself in the situation of havin' relations with his accuser by his own admittance. That was NOT a smart move on his behalf and I think it's safe to say that he's learnin' a hard lesson from this now. And boy is it gonna be somethin' if it's discovered that this chick was indeed lyin'!

I agree. I don't think that he did it, but who knows. I'm glad that he admitted cheating on his wife, but he shouldn't have cheated. He's still young, so he made a bad choice and he's paying for some of it now, because it definitely not over.

[Neo]

aDRUfan4LiFe said:

I agree. I don't think that he did it, but who knows. I'm glad that he admitted cheating on his wife, but he shouldn't have cheated. He's still young, so he made a bad choice and he's paying for some of it now, because it definitely not over.

It's true that Kobe is young (he's 24, right?) and there's always a firs to everything, but he shouldn't have cheated on his wife, even if he did admit it (how long has he been married to his wife btw?). Nevertheless, there's always a price to pay.