The Kobe Case
Follow events in the sexual assault case involving Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Bryant, 24, and his entourage arrive at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in Edwards, Colo. He's in town to have knee surgery at the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic, in nearby Vail.
|
|
|
|
A 19-year-old woman who works as a concierge at the hotel tells Eagle County, Colo., authorities she was sexually assaulted by Bryant. Sources say Bryant first denied the allegation, but later in the day with an attorney present he admits to having consensual sex with the woman.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bryant surrenders to authorities and is released after posting a $25,000 bond on a felony count of sexual assault. Bryant's attorneys say he is innocent and expects to be exonerated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Eagle County DA's office charges Bryant with sexual assault. Bryant denies the charge in a press conference held hours later, saying, "I sit here in front of you guys furious at myself, disgusted at myself for making a mistake of adultery."
|
|
|
|
Following the disclosure of the alleged victim's identity on various Web sites and a national radio show, the judge warns reporters that they may not get a seat in his courtroom if they publish her name or photograph. Critics say the ruling may be unconstitutional.
|
|
|
|
Defense attorneys file a request to allow Bryant to skip an Aug. 6 court date, saying it would reduce the need for security. Judge Fred Gannett rejects the filing a few hours later.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In his first courtroom appearance in the case, Bryant hears the charges against him and receives a preliminary hearing date of Oct. 9. Scores of reporters are on hand for the hearing, which lasts just a few minutes.
|
|
|
|
Bryant's attorneys issue a subpoena to the 19-year-old woman to have her testify at the Oct. 9 preliminary hearing. A spokeswoman for the prosecutors says they may ask the judge to throw out the subpoena.
|
|
|
|
Bryant's accuser joins prosecutors in asking Judge Gannett to throw out the defense's subpoena seeking her testimony at the preliminary hearing. Later in the day, Bryant's defense attorneys ask for a closed hearing, saying the publicity would threaten his right to a fair trial.
|
|
|
|
The accuser's name and address are mistakenly included in documents posted on a state court Web site. The information is up for about an hour before being replaced by a redacted version. Also, the Vail police ask the court to quash a subpoena from Bryant's camp seeking the 911 tapes.
|
|
|
|
Judge Gannett decides that Bryant's accuser doesn't have to appear at the preliminary hearing, and rules it will be open to the public. He may still decide to close part of the hearing to protect Bryant's right to a fair trial. The judge also rejects defense requests for medical records.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bryant arrives in court for a preliminary hearing to determine whether he should stand trial. The move surprises legal experts, who'd predicted the defense would waive the hearing and head straight to trial rather than allow prosecutors to lay out their case publicly for the first time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The preliminary hearing reconvenes, and a detective testifies that Bryant's accuser showed up for her rape exam wearing underpants containing another man's sperm. The hearing concludes with prosecutors telling the judge there is "uncontradicted" evidence of the rape.
|
|
|
|
Judge Gannett rules that Bryant must stand trial, saying prosecutors presented enough evidence he might have committed the crime. The Los Angeles Lakers guard could face a life sentence if convicted. His next appearance, in district court, is set for Nov. 10.
|
|
|
|
Bryant makes his first appearance before the judge who will preside over his sexual assault trial, putting off a formal plea and saying nothing at the brief procedural hearing. A pretrial hearing is set for Dec. 19 and another for Jan. 23.
|
|
|
|
Bryant's accuser spends more than three hours testifying behind closed doors. It is the first time she faces Bryant since the incident last June. After the hearing, Bryant flies to Los Angeles for a nationally televised game.
|
|
|
|
The mother of Bryant's accuser joins in an appeal to the judge to set a trial date so the 19-year-old can begin to put the case behind her. The woman's mother says her daughter has lived in four states in the past six months and that she and her husband are worried about her safety.
|
|
|
|
Bryant pleads not guilty to a single felony assault charge. If found guilty, he could be sent to prison for life.
|
|
|
|
District Judge Terry Ruckriegle rules that information about the accuser's sexual activities in the 72 hours before her hospital exam can be admitted as evidence. It's a huge victory for the defense and perhaps the most important decision in the case.
|
|
|
|
Bryant's accuser files a civil suit, seeking monetary damages for emotional and physical pain, a filing that requires a lower standard of proof than the criminal case. Legal experts say a civil trial allows Bryant's defense to claim in the criminal trial that her motives are financial.
|
|
|
|
On the same day the accuser files her civil suit, prosecutors ask the judge to delay Bryant's criminal trial indefinitely, saying she has been affected by developments in the case and the release of closed-door testimony has hurt their ability to get a fair jury.
|
|
|
|
The Colorado Supreme Court refuses to take up the prosecution's appeal of the ruling allowing jurors to hear about the accuser's sex life in the days leading up to her encounter with the NBA star. The justices do not explain why they decided against considering the appeal.
|
|
|
|
On the first day of Bryant's trial, 300 Eagle County residents arrive at the courthouse to fill out 82-item jury questionnaires. It is expected to take about a week for defense attorneys, prosecutors and consultants to pick the 12-member jury.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prosecution drops criminal case, saying allegedaccuser is "unable to go forward."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. District Judge Richard P. Matsch rejects the woman's request to remain anonymous in pursuing her civil case. He says that granting her anonymity would have little effect because her privacy already has been invaded, partly due to mistakes in posting case filings on a state Web site.
|
|
|
|
In a court filing, attorneys representing both sides indicate they have discussed settlement possibilities.
|
|
|
|
Bryant's attorneys ask the judge to prohibit his accuser's attorneys from asking him questions about his sex life, and ask to delay his deposition.
|
|
|
|
The accuser's attorney, L. Lin Wood, says her client has decided against filing a parallel lawsuit in California.
|
|
|
|
Bryant's attorneys argue against allowing questioning about his sex life, to protect the privacy of past sexual partners.
|
|
|
|
Judge Matsch throws out Bryant's attempt to share blame with the media and others for causing the woman distress. He also orders both sides to stop including "scandalous" information in public filings.
|
|
|
|
A settlement is announced in the civil case. The terms are not released; a statement issued by Bryant's attorneys says the matter has been resolved "to the satisfaction of both parties." Few experts believed the suit would have ever proceeded to trial.
|
|
|
|
Credits:
CBS News, Associated Press
|
|
|
