DA Locks Up In Eagle County, Co.

Eagle County has had its moments of media madness but the mass of reporters who've flooded into the Rocky Mountains to cover the Kobe Bryant case has pushed local law enforcement into new defensive measures.

Krista Flannigan, a spokeswoman for District Attorney Mark Hurlbert, Monday confirmed weekend reports that the FBI is investigating threats made against Hurlbert.

But she says that's not why the D.A.'s office has started locking its doors during the day, with a sign announcing that the office is closed and posting a phone number for visitors to use to leave messages.

"When they had it locked, most knocks were from the media," said Flannigan. "They put the note on the door so they could get their work done."

Flannigan says access to the Eagle County district attorney's office had to be restricted, because of the high volume of requests from reporters about the felony sexual assault charge filed against the Lakers star.

Bryant is accused of assaulting a 19-year-old woman in Eagle County on June 30.

He has said that the two did have sexual contact, but insists that it was consensual.

A court hearing on the matter is set for August 6, at which time the basketball star will be formally advised of the charge against him and the sentence he could face if convicted.

His bail, currently set at $25,000, could also be adjusted at the hearing.

Flannigan has refused to reveal any details about the threats the DA's office has been receiving since filing the charge against Bryant, but she does say they have targeted everyone from Hurlbert to members of his staff.

The Denver Post reports prosecutors have been considering added security measures. Although the office is locked, it is still possible to enter the building without signing in or going through a metal detector.

Flannigan said she didn't know whether Hurlbert has added personal security or beefed up protection at his home.

"I'd be reluctant to say either way just for his protection," Flannigan is quoted by the Post as saying. She noted that disclosure of that information could jeopardize Hurlbert's safety.

The atmosphere of the small office has changed since the case broke and the threats began, Flannigan told the Post. "I think the tenor of the office has changed with this case," she said. "The level of exposure is much greater than it has ever been before."

While the threats are "certainly cause for concern," Flannigan said she thinks the employees are dealing with them well. "I think that people feel that everything that can be done is being done and they can do the job that's expected of them," she said. "The office will do business as usual because there are other cases the DA handles besides this one."

Looking ahead to the August 6 hearing, a judge ruled Friday that cameras will be allowed inside the courtroom and a live audio feed will also be permitted.

Eagle County Court Judge Fred Gannett furthermore declined to put any restrictions on what the cameras can record.

Officials are also considering how to accommodate all the reporters and members of the public who want to be in the courtroom for Bryant's first appearance since his July 4 arrest.

Assistant County Administrator Becky Goddel said officials have no estimate of how many people will show up for the hearing but said allowing television coverage should help prevent large crowds.

Extensive coverage of the case has already led to one unexpected complication.

An Eagle County couple is considering suing a web site because it allegedly published a photo of their teenaged daughter and identified her as Bryant's accuser, although she has nothing to do with the case.

The couple says they aren't seeking financial damages but do want the photo removed from the web site. They also say as a result of the incident, their daughter is depressed and having trouble sleeping.