Threats result in security increases for Bryant hearing
By Times Staff and Wire Reports
Published October 7, 2003
DENVER - Authorities are tightening security before Lakers guard Kobe Bryant arrives in Colorado for a preliminary hearing Thursday that might not even take place.
Dozens of threats against the prosecutor, judge and Bryant's 19-year-old accuser helped prompt the move. Armed guards will be at the courthouse, one entrance will be locked and a metal detector will be set up at the other door.
The question is whether there will be a hearing to determine if Bryant will stand trial. Many believe that for tactical reasons, his attorneys will waive his right to a preliminary hearing, which would clear the way for a sexual assault trial next year.
Also, Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett ruled that Bryant's attorneys cannot have immediate access to notes taken by a rape crisis center worker during an interview with the alleged victim. A higher court will hold a hearing on the matter first.
In Los Angeles, Patrick Graber pleaded innocent to charges he approached Bryant's security team with an offer to kill the woman for $3-million. And with the Lakers, coach Phil Jackson said he reluctantly has considered Michael Jordan as a possible short-term replacement if Bryant cannot play part/all of the season.
COLLEGES: Two commit to FSU
Isaiah Swann, one of the nation's top-rated guards, orally committed to Florida State, Hargrave Military Academy coach Kevin Keatts said. The 6-1 Swann also considered Arizona and Connecticut. The early signing period begins Nov.12 and coach Leonard Hamilton has four available scholarships. Meanwhile, touted 6-4 forward Christie Lautsch, who averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks as a junior at Campbell High in Smyrna, Ga., committed to the women's team. Coach Sue Semrau has four scholarships.
KNIGHT SUIT: A judge sided with Indiana in Bob Knight's breach-of-contract lawsuit over his firing as basketball coach three years ago. Monroe Circuit Court Judge Kenneth Todd granted the university's motion for summary judgment, dismissing Knight's lawsuit without a trial. Knight, who coaches at Texas Tech, was fired in 2000 for violating a "zero tolerance" behavior policy by grabbing the arm of a student who he said greeted him by his last name.
SOCCER: The Tampa women defeated visiting Saint Leo 4-2. Largo's Sarah Sheehan scored a goal for the Spartans.
VOLLEYBALL: USF junior Shameka Mitchell was named Conference USA co-player of the week. Mitchell led the Bulls in kills at 5.56 a game with a .424 attack percentage as USF swept a pair of C-USA matches.
ET CETERA
BOXING: Mike Tyson, who has filed for bankruptcy, will not receive a $5.9-million tax refund from Ohio, where he claimed he was not a resident in 1995 and 1996. But a condition of his parole from Indiana on a rape conviction in 1995 was that he live at his mansion in Southington, Ohio.
TENNIS: Steffi Graf gave birth to a girl, her second child with Andre Agassi. Jaz Elle was born Friday in Las Vegas. Son Jaden Gil was born in October 2001.
OBITUARIES: Bill Cayton, who managed Mike Tyson early in his career and owned one of the biggest collections of old fight films, died Saturday in Larchmont, N.Y. He was 85. ... Joseph M. McCrane, who was instrumental in creating the Meadowlands sports complex and luring the New York Giants to New Jersey, died in Napa, Calif. He was 79.
