Bryant appears in court on sexual assault charge
EAGLE, Colo. (AP) – NBA superstar Kobe Bryant appeared in court Wednesday on a sexual assault charge, standing quietly beside his lawyers during a seven-minute hearing that created a media frenzy in this quiet mountain town. Bryant showed no emotion as his attorneys waived his right to be formally advised of the felony assault charge. Judge Frederick Gannett set a preliminary hearing for Oct. 9.
Bryant, 24, spoke only once during the hearing, answering “No, sir” when the judge asked if he objected to giving up his right to have the preliminary hearing held within 30 days.
Bryant has said he had consensual sex with a 19-year-old hotel clerk on June 30 but is innocent of assault.
Bryant, who is free on $25,000 bond, left the courthouse immediately and was expected to leave Colorado soon after the court appearance.
The hearing was held amid a media circus akin to the NBA Finals. Hundreds of reporters and photographers swamped the town and the short hearing involving the five-time All Star was carried live on national cable networks.
Bryant took a private jet to a nearby airport and was driven to the Eagle County courthouse in a sport-utility vehicle. There were scattered cheers and a shout of “Kobe is innocent!” from the crowd after he arrived.
Outside the courthouse, a small city of TV satellite trucks was set up next to a dozen or so platforms for live shots – precisely the type of coverage Bryant hoped to avoid when his attorneys asked the judge to allow the Los Angeles Lakers star to skip the procedural hearing.
The judge denied the request, setting the stage for the circus-like event.
At times, preparation for Bryant’s arrival looked more like something for a head of state. A media tent was erected outside the 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.”
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On the Net:
State courts: http://www.courts.state.co.us/exec/media/eagle/5thpressindex.htm
AP-ES-08-06-03 1850EDT