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CNN Live At Daybreak

NBA Star Kobe Bryant Wins Teen Choice Award

Aired August 04, 2003 - 05:37   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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Back here in the United States, teenagers have picked Kobe Bryant as their very favorite male athlete. He was honored at the Teen Choice Awards.
Our Gary Tuchman reports on Bryant's moves in both the court of public opinion and the court of justice.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Kobe Bryan received a warm welcome this weekend, when he showed up at the taping of the Teen Choice Awards. He also received one of the awards at the California ceremony.

According to "Entertainment Tonight" online, he paraphrased Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in saying, "An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere," which sets up this upcoming juxtaposition: The Teen Choice show will air on television Wednesday, the same day Bryant will be seen on TVs all over the world sitting in court as a sexual assault defendant.

KOBE BRYANT, LOS ANGELES LAKERS: I didn't force her to do anything against her will. I'm innocent.

TUCHMAN: But if he's found guilty of this charge, the possible sentence is four years to life in prison. At the very least, he would face 20 years probation and have to register as a sex offender for life.

An Eagle County judge will advise Bryant of the charges and his rights, and then most likely set a date for another court hearing, where, for the first time, prosecutors will have to publicly present their evidence.

PAM MACKEY, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: No prosecutor should file charges unless the evidence is so strong that the case can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel that after reviewing the evidence, after looking at the evidence, that I can prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt.

TUCHMAN: But all the judge will need is probable cause at Bryant's second hearing, a lower legal threshold, which would continue moving this case through the justice system.

(END VIDEOTAPE) COSTELLO: And as Gary just reported, Kobe Bryant's court hearing is scheduled for this Wednesday, and you can count on CNN for full coverage.

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 August 4, 2003 - 05:37   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Back here in the United States, teenagers have picked Kobe Bryant as their very favorite male athlete. He was honored at the Teen Choice Awards.
Our Gary Tuchman reports on Bryant's moves in both the court of public opinion and the court of justice.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Kobe Bryan received a warm welcome this weekend, when he showed up at the taping of the Teen Choice Awards. He also received one of the awards at the California ceremony.

According to "Entertainment Tonight" online, he paraphrased Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in saying, "An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere," which sets up this upcoming juxtaposition: The Teen Choice show will air on television Wednesday, the same day Bryant will be seen on TVs all over the world sitting in court as a sexual assault defendant.

KOBE BRYANT, LOS ANGELES LAKERS: I didn't force her to do anything against her will. I'm innocent.

TUCHMAN: But if he's found guilty of this charge, the possible sentence is four years to life in prison. At the very least, he would face 20 years probation and have to register as a sex offender for life.

An Eagle County judge will advise Bryant of the charges and his rights, and then most likely set a date for another court hearing, where, for the first time, prosecutors will have to publicly present their evidence.

PAM MACKEY, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: No prosecutor should file charges unless the evidence is so strong that the case can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel that after reviewing the evidence, after looking at the evidence, that I can prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt.

TUCHMAN: But all the judge will need is probable cause at Bryant's second hearing, a lower legal threshold, which would continue moving this case through the justice system.

(END VIDEOTAPE) COSTELLO: And as Gary just reported, Kobe Bryant's court hearing is scheduled for this Wednesday, and you can count on CNN for full coverage.

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