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CNN Live Today

Interview With Harvey Levin

Aired July 31, 2003 - 10:47   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The prosecution wants more time, judge says, Sorry, no way. A hearing will be held this afternoon in Colorado on sexual assault charges against L.A. Lakers star Kobe Bryant. One focus is going to be on whether to unseal court documents, including the arrest warrant.
For insight into the case and others we turn to "Celebrity Justice" executive producer, attorney Harvey Levin. Harvey, good morning. Boy do we need you here this morning.

HARVEY LEVIN, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, "CELEBRITY JUSTICE": Wow. It's quite a case, Daryn. I go to tell you.

KAGAN: What do we think perhaps is inside that warrant? Why is the media so anxious to see it?

LEVIN: Well there's no doubt about it. What's inside the warrant is the core of the prosecution's case. That's what they needed to get the judge to say there's probable cause to arrest Kobe Bryant. And it will outline at least the victim's point of view, what happened that night. And also whatever physical evidence the authorities have against Kobe Bryant.

But this is going to be kind of the core of their case. It will be very interesting if the judge releases it.

KAGAN: Chances are it's not going to happen, don't you think?

LEVIN: I don't think it is going to happen. I think they'll mount an argument that, Hey, you know what? This is a public interest case. There's no real reason to keep it secret. But the judge can say, Yes, there is because this is such a small town. It's going pollute the entire jury pool. So I think that's a pretty good argument.

KAGAN: And meanwhile, if nothing else this judge sounds like he's had it up to here with the media having...

LEVIN: But he's allowing cameras in, Daryn.

KAGAN: A camera. But he's very upset with what's taking place on the Internet, that some people have actually released the name and the pictures of the alleged victim. A lot of this about the coverage of this has gone out of control, Harvey, don't you think?

LEVIN: Not necessarily, Daryn. I have a problem with arguing, Oh gee, you got to protect the victim. I mean bottom line here is Kobe Bryant has been accused of a sexual felony. His reputation is on the line, his career is on the line, his marriage is on the line.

And the idea that the media can't start looking at whether this prosecution is the real deal or not to me seems so unfair. If there are issues that might make the public say, Hey, you know what? We're not going presume the authorities knew what they were doing. It seems to me that's fair game and it's responsible. I really don't understand the argument.

KAGAN: Just to counter here for a second. Yes, innocent until proven guilty. But the presumption, if perhaps he is found -- if he is found guilty, what this woman has been through and the fact that her reputation is, in advance of this trial, being absolutely trashed, this goes against what is considered just to be standard in terms of trying respect women who come forward and report sexual crimes, Harvey.

LEVIN: And I understand that argument. And I know my point of view is not politically correct. But I believe this.

The bottom line here is it's not innocent until proven guilty. Most people think if somebody gets arrested they must have a case against them. I think it's presumed guilty in this country. And that's just the way it is especially in high-profile cases.

And it's as if her name is being released, but if there's information...

KAGAN: There are people who have said her name. And there's radio talk show host.

(CROSSTALK)

KAGAN: Let's go to presumed very strange and that is the marriage of Liza and David, which apparently, sadly, has come to an end.

LEVIN: Knock me over with a feather.

KAGAN: David Guest saying, Oooh, this is going to get ugly, as if the marriage was so pretty.

(LAUGHTER)

LEVIN: Oh my. You know, what I'm hearing about this case is that Liza Minnelli was extremely upset that he was so controlling that she -- he cut her off from friends, from family and really wanted to control her life. And in some cases you know he did help resurrect her career. And he has problems with her lifestyle and it's -- it was a strange union from the beginning. And frankly, 16 months seemed like a pretty long run, given the circumstances.

KAGAN: Absolutely. But, actually, just from a legal standpoint, how ugly can something get after a year of marriage? I would just think in terms of assets what you go in with, you come out with, no?

LEVIN: And you're so right. But you know what? Sometimes it's not about assets. Sometimes it's about image. And in celebrity marriages, especially like this, where it's scrutinized by the media, a lot of it is how are people left in terms of how they look to the public? And I think in this case it's more important than money, Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Well somehow I have a feeling this will show up on "Celebrity Justice," that you will make room in that program for this coverage.

LEVIN: It will. And by the way, I love you and I'm sorry for arguing with you.

KAGAN: Oh, absolutely. No -- just a responsible debate. Always enjoy having you on, Harvey. Not a problem at all.

LEVIN: Thank you.

KAGAN: You're always welcome here on our show.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired July 31, 2003 - 10:47   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: The prosecution wants more time, judge says, Sorry, no way. A hearing will be held this afternoon in Colorado on sexual assault charges against L.A. Lakers star Kobe Bryant. One focus is going to be on whether to unseal court documents, including the arrest warrant.
For insight into the case and others we turn to "Celebrity Justice" executive producer, attorney Harvey Levin. Harvey, good morning. Boy do we need you here this morning.

HARVEY LEVIN, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, "CELEBRITY JUSTICE": Wow. It's quite a case, Daryn. I go to tell you.

KAGAN: What do we think perhaps is inside that warrant? Why is the media so anxious to see it?

LEVIN: Well there's no doubt about it. What's inside the warrant is the core of the prosecution's case. That's what they needed to get the judge to say there's probable cause to arrest Kobe Bryant. And it will outline at least the victim's point of view, what happened that night. And also whatever physical evidence the authorities have against Kobe Bryant.

But this is going to be kind of the core of their case. It will be very interesting if the judge releases it.

KAGAN: Chances are it's not going to happen, don't you think?

LEVIN: I don't think it is going to happen. I think they'll mount an argument that, Hey, you know what? This is a public interest case. There's no real reason to keep it secret. But the judge can say, Yes, there is because this is such a small town. It's going pollute the entire jury pool. So I think that's a pretty good argument.

KAGAN: And meanwhile, if nothing else this judge sounds like he's had it up to here with the media having...

LEVIN: But he's allowing cameras in, Daryn.

KAGAN: A camera. But he's very upset with what's taking place on the Internet, that some people have actually released the name and the pictures of the alleged victim. A lot of this about the coverage of this has gone out of control, Harvey, don't you think?

LEVIN: Not necessarily, Daryn. I have a problem with arguing, Oh gee, you got to protect the victim. I mean bottom line here is Kobe Bryant has been accused of a sexual felony. His reputation is on the line, his career is on the line, his marriage is on the line.

And the idea that the media can't start looking at whether this prosecution is the real deal or not to me seems so unfair. If there are issues that might make the public say, Hey, you know what? We're not going presume the authorities knew what they were doing. It seems to me that's fair game and it's responsible. I really don't understand the argument.

KAGAN: Just to counter here for a second. Yes, innocent until proven guilty. But the presumption, if perhaps he is found -- if he is found guilty, what this woman has been through and the fact that her reputation is, in advance of this trial, being absolutely trashed, this goes against what is considered just to be standard in terms of trying respect women who come forward and report sexual crimes, Harvey.

LEVIN: And I understand that argument. And I know my point of view is not politically correct. But I believe this.

The bottom line here is it's not innocent until proven guilty. Most people think if somebody gets arrested they must have a case against them. I think it's presumed guilty in this country. And that's just the way it is especially in high-profile cases.

And it's as if her name is being released, but if there's information...

KAGAN: There are people who have said her name. And there's radio talk show host.

(CROSSTALK)

KAGAN: Let's go to presumed very strange and that is the marriage of Liza and David, which apparently, sadly, has come to an end.

LEVIN: Knock me over with a feather.

KAGAN: David Guest saying, Oooh, this is going to get ugly, as if the marriage was so pretty.

(LAUGHTER)

LEVIN: Oh my. You know, what I'm hearing about this case is that Liza Minnelli was extremely upset that he was so controlling that she -- he cut her off from friends, from family and really wanted to control her life. And in some cases you know he did help resurrect her career. And he has problems with her lifestyle and it's -- it was a strange union from the beginning. And frankly, 16 months seemed like a pretty long run, given the circumstances.

KAGAN: Absolutely. But, actually, just from a legal standpoint, how ugly can something get after a year of marriage? I would just think in terms of assets what you go in with, you come out with, no?

LEVIN: And you're so right. But you know what? Sometimes it's not about assets. Sometimes it's about image. And in celebrity marriages, especially like this, where it's scrutinized by the media, a lot of it is how are people left in terms of how they look to the public? And I think in this case it's more important than money, Daryn.

KAGAN: All right. Well somehow I have a feeling this will show up on "Celebrity Justice," that you will make room in that program for this coverage.

LEVIN: It will. And by the way, I love you and I'm sorry for arguing with you.

KAGAN: Oh, absolutely. No -- just a responsible debate. Always enjoy having you on, Harvey. Not a problem at all.

LEVIN: Thank you.

KAGAN: You're always welcome here on our show.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com