The Kobe Bryant sexual assault case began in the summer of 2003 when the news media reported that the sheriff's office in Eagle, Colorado had arrested NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, in connection with an investigation of a sexual assault complaint filed a 19-year old hotel employee. Bryant had checked into The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera hotel in Eagle, Colorado in advance of having knee surgery near there the next day under Dr. Richard Steadman. The woman in question accused Bryant of raping her in his hotel room the night before the surgery. Law enforcement officials interviewed Bryant about the incident following his surgery.[1] Later that week, they arrested Bryant, releasing him immediately on bond, and news of the arrest became public two days after that. Several days later, the Eagle County District Attorney's office filed a formal charge against Bryant. After he was formally charged, Bryant held a news conference in which he adamantly denied having raped her. With his wife on his side, he confessed, in tears, to having an adulterous sexual encounter with her, but insisted that everything that happened between the two had been consensual. The case's pre-trial hearings went on through the 2003–2004 NBA season, a number of times causing Bryant to have to be in court in Colorado during the day, then immediately fly to another part of the country to play in the Lakers' game that night. Bryant generally performed well in such games, though the on-going proceedings and the media attention on them served as a continuing distraction, both to Bryant personally, and to the Laker team as a whole.[2][3]
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Trial
As the hearings began, it became clear that Bryant's defense team was going to aggressively attack the victim's credibility.[4] Various media reports about evidence that Bryant's defense was planning to present caused widespread speculation that chances of the prosecution overcoming reasonable doubt and obtaining a conviction were dwindling. Amid both such speculation and the intense scrutiny of her personal life, the victim decided to withdraw her support of the criminal prosecution and informed prosecutors that she would be unwilling to testify in the case. With that development, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the case against Bryant, with District Attorney Mark Hurlbert citing the female's unwillingness to continue as his reason for doing so. As part of the overall agreement, Bryant issued a statement in which he continued to assert that his encounter with her was consensual, but acknowledged that she "did not and does not view this incident the same".
Constitutionality of rape shield laws
This case highlighted many key issues surrounding Colorado's rape shield law including the tenuous balance between a right to privacy versus the relevant evidence of prior behavior and sexual history. The medical examiner has reported testing the underwear in question of hers and concluded that the semen of Mr. Bryant, along with 2 other males were found on her underwear during the rape kit investigation. The Rape Shield Laws have given accusers a questionable level of anonymity associated with the stigma of rape while shifting the burden of proof to the accused. Rape Shield proponents were disappointed in her behavior in settling for a reported $5 million payout in a civil action while completely dropping any criminal charges. The proponents had been hoping to use her as a poster child for the Rape Shield Law. Mounting criticism against her charges grew after it was acknowledged that she originally initiated contact with Mr. Bryant.
Aftermath
Before the case was scheduled to go to trial, she filed a civil lawsuit against Bryant over the incident. The two sides ultimately settled that lawsuit, with the specific terms of the settlement being undisclosed to the public.
References
- ^ "Kobe Bryant Police Interview", The Smoking Gun. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
- ^ "Bryant distracted, scared amid sex assault case", Associated Press, 2003-12-23. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
- ^ Moore, David Leon. "Shaq, Kobe still main keys to Lakers' fortunes", USA Today, 2004-02-12. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
- ^ "Kobe accuser's credibility under fire", Associated Press, 2003-12-17. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
