Lakers star says two words, judge sets Oct. 9 preliminary hearing, and media swamp scene.
By Associated Press
Published August 7, 2003
EAGLE, Colo. - NBA superstar Kobe Bryant made his first court appearance on a sexual assault charge Wednesday, uttering just two words during a seven-minute hearing that created a media frenzy in this quiet mountain town.
Attorneys for the 24-year-old waived his right to be formally advised of the felony assault charge, sparing the Los Angeles Lakers guard even more time in the cinderblock courtroom that was jammed with reporters.
Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett set an Oct. 9 preliminary hearing to determine whether the case will go to trial. That would be one day after a Lakers preseason game and about three weeks before the start of the regular season.
Bryant's only words were "No, sir" when the judge asked if he objected to giving up his right to have the preliminary hearing held within 30 days.
Bryant left the courthouse immediately and was expected to return to California by private jet.
Bryant has said he had consensual sex with a 19-year-old hotel clerk June 30 but is innocent of assault. If convicted, he faces four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation, and a fine of up to $750,000. He is free on $25,000 bond.
The case has been the subject of widespread speculation about Bryant's accuser, a college student who worked at the front desk of the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in nearby Edwards. Bryant was in Colorado to have knee surgery in nearby Vail.
Judge Gannett, who already has issued a gag order in the case and rejected media requests to release court records, appointed a special investigator Wednesday to determine whether law enforcement officials are leaking information about the case to reporters.
Bryant's lawyers said recent news reports quoted anonymous sources describing injuries to Bryant's accuser and the amount of time she spent in his hotel room. Reports also said Bryant gave inconsistent statements to law enforcement officials.
Gannett asked the Pitkin County sheriff's office to conduct the investigation. He said he wanted an investigating agency that is "local, had the resources, skills and training."
He set no deadline to finish the investigation.
"This is just another effort by me to remind the parties to the case to be careful," he said.
The hearing was held amid a media circus that included hundreds of reporters and photographers swamping the courthouse grounds, and a live broadcast on national cable networks. Even the jury box was filled with curious courthouse employees.
Bryant was driven to the courthouse in a sport-utility vehicle. There were scattered cheers and a shout of "Kobe is innocent!" from the crowd as he arrived.
Bryant and defense attorney Pamela Mackey both went through a metal detector before they entered the courtroom.
Outside the courthouse, a small squad of television satellite trucks was set up next to a dozen or so platforms for live television shots - precisely the type of coverage Bryant was hoping to avoid when his attorneys asked Gannett to allow him to skip the procedural hearing.
At times, preparation for Bryant's arrival looked more like something for a head of state. A media tent was erected outside the Eagle County courthouse, authorities brought out the county's only metal detector, and sheriff's deputies were called in on overtime to keep order.
Along with the journalists came Bryant's fans - people like Eric Tison, 30, who drove three hours from Castle Rock, south of Denver.
"I hope he's innocent. I'm here to support him as a basketball player," said Tison, wearing a Lakers No. 8 jersey and hoping for an autograph. "What goes on in his personal life now is taking away from the game."
