Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
Kobe Bryant Case, Judge Decides on Trial
Aired October 21, 2003 - 06:07 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: The judge in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case says the prosecution offered only minimal evidence as to Bryant's guilt, but it was certainly enough to order Bryant to stand trial.
CNN's Gary Tuchman has more from Colorado.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Kobe Bryant's legal problems have now officially increased, a judge deciding that there is probable cause for him to go to trial. The Los Angeles Lakers guard will have to come to this courthouse on November 10 for his initial appearance in district court.
The judge saying in his order that -- quote: "The court finds that the evidence, taken in the light most favorable to the prosecution, is sufficient to induce a reasonable belief that defendant committed sexual assault as charged. The people have, therefore, established sufficient probable cause to bind this matter over to district court for trial."
Now, we've been telling you, probable cause is a very low legal standard. It's not like proof beyond a reasonable doubt. And the judge made it clear in his order he wasn't overly impressed with the prosecution's case, saying this quote: "The people presented what can only be described as a minimal amount of evidence, relying substantially on the use of hearsay evidence."
Prosecutors had said they did not discuss all of the evidence they had. They wanted to save some of their cards, save some of their evidence for an eventual trial. But either way, it's very telltale that the judge decided to say that in his order.
The judge also said, "The alleged victim's statement, not having been shown to be incredible and implausible as a matter of law, cannot be rejected by the court." And that is why Kobe Bryant will now be on the way to having a trial here in Eagle, Colorado.
Once again, he comes back November 10 for his first appearance in the district court. His Lakers have a game that same night against Memphis.
This is Gary Tuchman, CNN, in Eagle, Colorado.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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 October 21, 2003 - 06:07 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The judge in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case says the prosecution offered only minimal evidence as to Bryant's guilt, but it was certainly enough to order Bryant to stand trial.
CNN's Gary Tuchman has more from Colorado.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Kobe Bryant's legal problems have now officially increased, a judge deciding that there is probable cause for him to go to trial. The Los Angeles Lakers guard will have to come to this courthouse on November 10 for his initial appearance in district court.
The judge saying in his order that -- quote: "The court finds that the evidence, taken in the light most favorable to the prosecution, is sufficient to induce a reasonable belief that defendant committed sexual assault as charged. The people have, therefore, established sufficient probable cause to bind this matter over to district court for trial."
Now, we've been telling you, probable cause is a very low legal standard. It's not like proof beyond a reasonable doubt. And the judge made it clear in his order he wasn't overly impressed with the prosecution's case, saying this quote: "The people presented what can only be described as a minimal amount of evidence, relying substantially on the use of hearsay evidence."
Prosecutors had said they did not discuss all of the evidence they had. They wanted to save some of their cards, save some of their evidence for an eventual trial. But either way, it's very telltale that the judge decided to say that in his order.
The judge also said, "The alleged victim's statement, not having been shown to be incredible and implausible as a matter of law, cannot be rejected by the court." And that is why Kobe Bryant will now be on the way to having a trial here in Eagle, Colorado.
Once again, he comes back November 10 for his first appearance in the district court. His Lakers have a game that same night against Memphis.
This is Gary Tuchman, CNN, in Eagle, Colorado.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
