Return to Transcripts main page
Live From...
District Attorney to Announce Decision in Kobe Bryant Case
Aired July 18, 2003 - 15:31 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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Kobe Bryant should learn within 90 minutes if he's a man with a criminal complaint against him. The Los Angeles Lakers guard is accused of sexual misconduct in Colorado. And the district attorney announces his decision today.
CNN's Brian Cabell is in Eagle, Colorado, with more -- Brian.
BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, as you said, it looks like we'll have a decision here, an announcement, within just about an hour and a half.
And we're starting to get some hints, perhaps, of what might lie ahead. I just talked to the sheriff's office about a half-hour ago. I asked, would the sheriff be out there alongside him? They said either the sheriff or the lead detective would be out there alongside the DA when he makes his announcement.
That, along with the fact the DA informed the alleged victim's familiar last night of his decision seems to indicate -- and I emphasize seems -- seems to indicate that charges will be filed. But I must warn you, we've been fooled by these situations before. In any case, it looks like, in this case that's shocked so many people, we may finally get some answers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CABELL (voice-over): It all began harmlessly enough for NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. He made an off-season visit to a posh resort in Colorado, so that he could get arthroscopic surgery on his knee at a renowned clinic in vail. Four days later, he posed for a mug shot. He had been arrested by the sheriff for sexual assault, even though the district attorney wasn't yet ready to file formal charges.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need to look at all the facts. We need to look at all the evidence.
CABELL: The accusation came from a 19-year-old college student who worked at the front desk of the resort. The case files have been sealed, but sources say she was called to his room shortly after he checked in June 30, and that's where the alleged assault took place.
Sheriff's deputies, after two days of investigation, were convinced they had a solid case.
LARRY POZNER, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Law enforcement always tells us they have a perfect case, when they have sometimes a great case, sometimes a middling case, and sometimes no case. CABELL: Within days, the name of the alleged victim was on the lips of many in the town of Eagle, population 4,000. She had been a cheerleader at her high school, a nice, friendly girl, most agreed. It didn't make sense, many said, that she'd lie about her accusation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, it doesn't. That doesn't.
CABELL (on camera): It doesn't sound like
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From her religion, how she is and how her family is, that doesn't at all.
CABELL: You think she's telling the truth?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I believe so.
CABELL (voice-over): Friend in Eagle do confirm, however, that the girl has experienced emotional stress in recent weeks: the death of a friend and boyfriend problems.
Bryant, who's remained in Southern California for the last two weeks and appeared at the Espy Awards show Wednesday nights with his wife, vehemently denies the allegation. Now the district attorney, after reviewing testimony and all the physical evidence, must decide. Does he have a strong enough case to bring one of the NBA's brightest stars to trial?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CABELL: And the press conference scheduled here for 3:00 Mountain time. That's 5:00 Eastern time. And as you can see over my shoulder, they are getting ready. This is a special event here. You have to have at least 15 satellite trucks ready, drawing interest from all over the nation.
And after that, Kyra, four hours later, we'll have, more or less, the attorney for Kobe Bryant, she will be making a statement from the Staples Center in Los Angeles -- back to you.
PHILLIPS: All right, Brian, thank you.
And we plan to carry live coverage at 5:00 Eastern time on "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS," when that decision comes forward. And the Kobe Bryant case will also be featured tonight on "LARRY KING LIVE." That's at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, on CNN.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Case>
Aired July 18, 2003 - 15:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Kobe Bryant should learn within 90 minutes if he's a man with a criminal complaint against him. The Los Angeles Lakers guard is accused of sexual misconduct in Colorado. And the district attorney announces his decision today.
CNN's Brian Cabell is in Eagle, Colorado, with more -- Brian.
BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, as you said, it looks like we'll have a decision here, an announcement, within just about an hour and a half.
And we're starting to get some hints, perhaps, of what might lie ahead. I just talked to the sheriff's office about a half-hour ago. I asked, would the sheriff be out there alongside him? They said either the sheriff or the lead detective would be out there alongside the DA when he makes his announcement.
That, along with the fact the DA informed the alleged victim's familiar last night of his decision seems to indicate -- and I emphasize seems -- seems to indicate that charges will be filed. But I must warn you, we've been fooled by these situations before. In any case, it looks like, in this case that's shocked so many people, we may finally get some answers.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CABELL (voice-over): It all began harmlessly enough for NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. He made an off-season visit to a posh resort in Colorado, so that he could get arthroscopic surgery on his knee at a renowned clinic in vail. Four days later, he posed for a mug shot. He had been arrested by the sheriff for sexual assault, even though the district attorney wasn't yet ready to file formal charges.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need to look at all the facts. We need to look at all the evidence.
CABELL: The accusation came from a 19-year-old college student who worked at the front desk of the resort. The case files have been sealed, but sources say she was called to his room shortly after he checked in June 30, and that's where the alleged assault took place.
Sheriff's deputies, after two days of investigation, were convinced they had a solid case.
LARRY POZNER, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Law enforcement always tells us they have a perfect case, when they have sometimes a great case, sometimes a middling case, and sometimes no case. CABELL: Within days, the name of the alleged victim was on the lips of many in the town of Eagle, population 4,000. She had been a cheerleader at her high school, a nice, friendly girl, most agreed. It didn't make sense, many said, that she'd lie about her accusation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, it doesn't. That doesn't.
CABELL (on camera): It doesn't sound like
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From her religion, how she is and how her family is, that doesn't at all.
CABELL: You think she's telling the truth?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I believe so.
CABELL (voice-over): Friend in Eagle do confirm, however, that the girl has experienced emotional stress in recent weeks: the death of a friend and boyfriend problems.
Bryant, who's remained in Southern California for the last two weeks and appeared at the Espy Awards show Wednesday nights with his wife, vehemently denies the allegation. Now the district attorney, after reviewing testimony and all the physical evidence, must decide. Does he have a strong enough case to bring one of the NBA's brightest stars to trial?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CABELL: And the press conference scheduled here for 3:00 Mountain time. That's 5:00 Eastern time. And as you can see over my shoulder, they are getting ready. This is a special event here. You have to have at least 15 satellite trucks ready, drawing interest from all over the nation.
And after that, Kyra, four hours later, we'll have, more or less, the attorney for Kobe Bryant, she will be making a statement from the Staples Center in Los Angeles -- back to you.
PHILLIPS: All right, Brian, thank you.
And we plan to carry live coverage at 5:00 Eastern time on "WOLF BLITZER REPORTS," when that decision comes forward. And the Kobe Bryant case will also be featured tonight on "LARRY KING LIVE." That's at 9:00 Eastern, 6:00 Pacific, on CNN.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Case>
