Kobe Bryant won't face charges for San Diego church cell phone incident

By: Casey Glynn
Topics: Daily Blotter

Kobe Bryant

(Credit: Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

(CBS/KFMB) SAN DIEGO - Los Angeles Lakers' star Kobe Bryant will not be facing charges after accusations that he injured a man last summer at a San Diego church, authorities said Tuesday.

Bryant had allegedly grabbed the man's wrist and cell phone at a service in St. Therese of Carmel, injuring the fellow worshiper's arm.

After an investigation, a spokesperson said the San Diego City Attorney's Office concluded that the Aug. 14 incident involved no unlawful conduct that could be proven in court, reports CBS San Diego.

"As prosecutors, we cannot ethically file a criminal case when we lack sufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt," District Attorney spokeswoman Gina Coburn said in a statement.

Bryant was attending a church service when he thought someone was taking pictures of him with a cellphone, according to broadcast reports. Police said that Bryant immediately snatched the phone from the man. But when the NBA All-star saw no pictures on it, he left the church.

The other man, whose name was not released, filed a report with San Diego police. He claimed that the encounter had left him with an injured wrist, CBS San Diego reports.

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