NBA
Overdose info may be omitted in Bryant's case
Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 22, 2003
A Colorado jury may never hear allegations that a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by Lakers guard Kobe Bryant overdosed two months before the alleged assault at a posh hotel and spa, lawyers said Monday.
The Orange County Register reported Sunday the 19-year-old became distraught after learning her high school sweetheart was dating another and a close friend was killed in a truck accident. The Register reported the woman was found incoherent, lethargic and seemingly drunk when she was found in her home by a friend and rushed to the hospital.
But lawyers said Monday a Colorado judge, following a pattern of protecting sex assault victims, may find the incident has no relevance to the assault allegation.
The college student claims Bryant attacked her June 30 at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in the Colorado community of Edwards, where she works.
Defense lawyer Bob Ransome said it likely will be tough going for the defense to convince a judge that there is a good reason to allow the information at trial.
"That is simply a discretionary thing with the judge ... ," Ransome said. "Victims are really protected by the courts, almost overprotected."
If convicted, Bryant faces four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation and a fine of up to $750,000. Bryant's lawyer said he will plead innocent.
JACKSON SUPPORTS BRYANT: Lakers coach Phil Jackson is "saddened" by the sexual assault charge against Bryant. Jackson has coached Bryant the past four seasons. "He has consistently demonstrated responsible behavior to me both on and off the basketball court," Jackson said in a statement issued through his Chicago attorney, Todd Musburger. "... As his coach and mentor, he has my full support."
BUCKS: The Hawks gave interim coach Terry Stotts permission to speak to Milwaukee about the vacant coaching position. The job opened Sunday when George Karl was fired. Stotts, 45, was an assistant under Karl in Seattle and Milwaukee.
MAGIC: In trying to land free agent Tyronn Lue, Orlando has explored one scenario: bringing back popular Darrell Armstrong - for at least a short time. The Magic could re-sign Armstrong, then trade him to the Wizards for Lue, the young point guard who has made Armstrong expendable in Orlando, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Lue's agent, Andy Miller, confirmed such a sign-and-trade deal has been discussed.
WIZARDS: Free-agent guard Gilbert Arenas will accept a $60-million-plus offer, leaving the Warriors, the player's father, Gilbert Arenas Sr., told the San Francisco Chronicle. The Warriors have 15 days to match it.
BIRD CANCELS BET: Seattle's Sue Bird canceled a wager with a sports radio talk show host who proposed to spank her on his program if she lost. The wager hinged on whether Bird's assist-to-turnover ratio would be higher than 2-1 at the end of the season. Bird apologized to fans, saying in a team statement she made the bet "as a good-natured way to draw the radio talent and listeners to Storm games." If Bird won, program host Mitch Levy would buy season tickets to Storm games next year. Bird was on pace to win the wager with 137 assists and 63 turnovers in 20 games.
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