Looks like Kobe dogged a bullet

[yank dini]

Bryant's Lawyers Say They Have Evidence 35 minutes ago By JON SARCHE, Associated Press Writer EAGLE, Colo. - Kobe Bryant's attorneys dropped another bombshell Wednesday, saying tests on his accuser's underpants revealed "compelling evidence" the NBA superstar is innocent of rape. They accused prosecutors of ignoring it. AP Photo Reuters Slideshow: Kobe Bryant The defense said the tests found substances later described by the lead investigator as semen from a man other than the Los Angeles Lakers (news) guard. The details were released in a court filing at the same time Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett rejected a prosecution request to close the remainder of a preliminary hearing to protect the 19-year-old accuser from more publicity. The hearing will determine whether Bryant, 25, will stand trial on a felony charge of sexual assault. He has said the (removed) with the resort employee June 30 was consensual. After meeting with attorneys for more than an hour, Gannett admonished the news media to exercise restraint in drawing any conclusions from testimony. "Understand you have been privy to only a portion of the information," Gannett said. The hearing then resumed with the defense questioning of the lead investigator, sheriff's Detective Doug Winters. Winters said the Eagle woman told him she had consensual (removed) on June 27 or June 28 and had used a condom, backing earlier defense suggestions that she had been sexually active before her encounter with Bryant. Winters also said two pairs of panties from the woman were tested — one from the night of June 30, the other being the one she wore to a hospital for an exam the next day. The latter pair contained blood and semen, Winters said. "The accuser arrived at the hospital wearing panties with someone else's semen and sperm in them, not that of Mr. Bryant, correct?" defense attorney Pamela Mackey asked. "That's correct," Winters responded. Pubic hair samples from the woman also turned up Caucasian hairs that could not have come from Bryant, who is black, Winters said. The defense has suggested that injuries to the woman's vaginal area may have been caused by previous sexual partners. In Wednesday's court filing, defense attorney Hal Haddon said prosecutors deliberately misrepresented blood evidence found on the underpants. "The clear implication of this testimony was that the accuser was bleeding due to the alleged sexual assault," he said. The prosecution deliberately failed to "put before the court all of the evidence concerning those panties." The defense said that evidence had been given to Gannett, under seal, and it provided "compelling evidence of innocence." Prosecutors have accused the defense of a "deliberate and calculated" attempt to dredge up testimony about the woman's sexual history that is irrelevant at such an early stage of the case. "What was even more unexpected was her conscious misrepresentation of the evidence in order to smear the victim publicly," prosecutor Ingrid Bakke wrote in a court filing Tuesday. Bakke said Colorado's rape shield law bars the use of an alleged victim's sexual history in rape cases, with few exceptions. Last week, the hearing began with graphic testimony from Winters, who said Bryant attacked the woman from behind and raped her over her protestations. The defense then suggested in open court the accuser may have had (removed) with other men. Prosecutors responded by asking for the hearing to be closed — a request ridiculed by the defense. "Now after damaging information about Mr. Bryant essentially unchallenged by cross-examination has been heard in open court and distributed worldwide as the prosecution intended, the prosecution now seeks to close the hearing," Haddon wrote. "The defense never wanted this hearing to be open," he added. "Now that it has begun in open court ... Bryant's right to a fair trial will be eviscerated if the prosecution is able to achieve what it clear intended all along." The judge is expected to issue a written ruling on whether the case will go to district court for trial. Also Tuesday, prosecutors said they had received medical records mistakenly released by a Glenwood Springs hospital where the woman was examined — and had shared them with Bryant's lawyers. Prosecution spokeswoman Krista Flannigan said the records had been returned and copies destroyed at the request of the hospital. Mackey's voice mail said she would not return reporters' calls. Defense attorneys unsuccessfully sought the medical records from a number of places, including an Eagle clinic and a student health service at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. The woman was treated earlier this year for an undisclosed mental health problem. The judge threw out defense subpoenas for the medical records, saying the issue should be determined by the trial judge if the case goes that far.

[Reynoma]

I think people are missing the point here. I said this with Bill Clinton and I'll say it with Kobe....neither deny having (removed) outside of marriage - isn't that supposed to be wrong?

[yank dini]

quote:I think people are missing the point here. I said this with Bill Clinton and I'll say it with Kobe....neither deny having (removed) outside of marriage - isn't that supposed to be wrong?yeah but does that deserve a rape charge or impeachment?

[Reynoma]

quote:yeah but does that deserve a rape charge No, but he's not innocent. It is something for him and his wife to work out.quote: or impeachment?YES. No question about it.

[MonotoneSatellite]

The whole reason Clinton was impeached was because he lied about it under oath. He swore to "...tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth" Had he been honest and said "I shagged her rotten, baby!" then only Hilary would be in a position to do anything. Is it wrong to break your wedding vows? Yes. If my brother-in-law cheated on my sister, he and I would have words. But, his lack of will power is not a matter for criminal court.

[drunkenmaxx]

why was clinton ever bothered about f*cking that pig monica anyway? if your everyday joe cheats on his wife, he doesn't have to go to court over it. i don't care if the president likes coccaine and hookers in his freetime, as long as he takes care of his job. everyone was richer under clinton. maybe some extracurricular poon is what the president needs.

[slbpsi63]

quote:No, but he's not innocent. It is something for him and his wife to work out.He is innocent of rape if that is the truth that the courts see. He is guilty of cheating. That is between his wife, and God.

[yank dini]

quote:He is innocent of rape if that is the truth that the courts see. He is guilty of cheating. That is between his wife, and God.

[Flip-Side]

quote:He is innocent of rape if that is the truth that the courts see. He is guilty of cheating. That is between his wife, and God. Now I am by no means a chauvinist, nor do I like slander of the opposite (removed). But in the world the way it is today, a man is easily accused of such a crime and it's hard to convince people otherwise because we are so appalled at the possibility. It's like you almost need a contract written to have sexual relations now-a-days. On the other hand, things are this way because of those that truly do commit crimes such as these, and it usually is not the first time they have done so.I am swayed by the new evidence. I think Kobe is innocent, but you never know....

[cibomatto]

Lets say that the girl is wrong/lied and somehow malicious intent by this accusation. It puts rape victims (true rape victims) ten times step backwards. No matter the outcome of the trial I hope everyone can learn the tremendous amount of lessons from this.

[Hot Vibe]

Just remember this thread and in a couple of years bring it up again when Kobe bangs another little girl. Next time she might not be over 18.

[Reynoma]

quote:It's like you almost need a contract written to have sexual relations now-a-days. This is going to come out sounding worse than I mean but:Don't they call that marriage?

[slbpsi63]

quote:It's like you almost need a contract written to have sexual relations now-a-days. This is going to come out sounding worse than I mean but:Don't they call that marriage?LOL good point. A willing partner is good enough too.

[Hot Vibe]

I did not mean rape Salsa. I mean he will not be able to keep his wang to himself. The press will be waiting for him to screw up.

[AKLGT]

as a female, myself. i don't know if i really believe her. but then again, look at mike tyson... people use fame and power in many ways to get what they want. it's scary. i hope that she is not making this up because that is more damaging to the true rape victims out there. rape is very serious and not a matter to be thrown around lightly. if he did do it, then he should go to jail. if not, then she should go to jail for the false accusations. whether or not he's guilty, she's done more damage to his credibility and integrity than anyone could do... my verdict is still out....

[drunkenmaxx]

kobe could bang just about anyone he wanted, noone can argue that. why would he rape someone?? sure, it's possible that he did it, but, come on what are the chances? it's too easy to claim rape these days, even if he is considered innocent, everyone will remember him as a rapist. yet more proof that women are evil.

[yank dini]

quote:kobe could bang just about anyone he wanted, noone can argue that. why would he rape someone?? sure, it's possible that he did it, but, come on what are the chances? it's too easy to claim rape these days, even if he is considered innocent, everyone will remember him as a rapist. yet more proof that women are evil. our lawmakers need to do something about this. Women just cant go crying rape when they see an opportunity to ruin someone. And as far as protecting the victim. Who are you protecting from? Everyone has a right to face their accuser in open court. Special Priv's for these people is downright unfair.

[Hot Vibe]

For cases such as this if the evidence is overwhelming in the favor of the defendant in a rape case then the accuser should serve some jail time. This might help. It is not the solution but the system is not perfect.

[Reynoma]

quote:our lawmakers need to do something about this. Women just cant go crying rape when they see an opportunity to ruin someone. And as far as protecting the victim. Who are you protecting from? Everyone has a right to face their accuser in open court. Special Priv's for these people is downright unfair.I'm afraid it is attitude like this that causes many rapes to go unreported. People don't believe them or their past is made public. Very sad.

[drunkenmaxx]

quote:For cases such as this if the evidence is overwhelming in the favor of the defendant in a rape case then the accuser should serve some jail time. This might help. It is not the solution but the system is not perfect.it would make sense that if you accuse someone of such a horrible and labeling crime that they didn't commit, you should have to either go to jail or give up everything you own in a lawsuit and have your life stripped of everything it used to be.

[Flip-Side]

quote:rape is very serious and not a matter to be thrown around lightly. if he did do it, then he should go to jail. if not, then she should go to jail for the false accusations. whether or not he's guilty, she's done more damage to his credibility and integrity than anyone could doWell said! I think that is the summary of this thread.

[yank dini]

quote:For cases such as this if the evidence is overwhelming in the favor of the defendant in a rape case then the accuser should serve some jail time. This might help. It is not the solution but the system is not perfect.I agree with this! AMEND THE PATRIOT ACT!

[Sputnik]

Well the title of this thread is aptly named after the judge threw out the rape charge today:http://www.reuters.com/newsArt...29894