Wed, June 23, 2004

Lawyers finish sex-life debate - woman accusing Kobe Bryant

KOBE AWAITS TRIAL DATE

By AP

ATTORNEYS WRAPPED up closed-door arguments in Eagle, Colo. yesterday over whether the sex life of the woman accusing Kobe Bryant of rape can be introduced at the NBA star's trial. More written arguments are due next week. That means Judge Terry Ruckriegle will not make his decision until next month.

Bryant left the two-day hearing without learning his trial date. But attorneys said they could be ready for trial by late August.

State court spokesman Karen Salaz said 1,000 summonses will be sent to prospective jurors -- four times the usual number.

The high number is needed because of the publicity the case has drawn and because of the transient nature of the Eagle County population, home to Vail and other ski resorts.

HE COULD GET 4 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON

Bryant, 25, has pleaded not guilty, saying he had consensual sex with the woman at a Vail-area resort last summer.

If convicted, the Los Angeles Lakers star faces four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation, and a fine of up to $750,000.

Bryant's attorneys want to introduce evidence they say will show the woman had multiple sexual partners during the week of her encounter with Bryant.

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/News/2004/06/23/510542.html