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Bizarre Twist Involving Kobe Bryant's Sexual Assault Case
Aired September 19, 2003 - 13:10 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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Bizarre twist involving Kobe Bryant's sexual assault case to tell you about. A Swiss body builder behind bars today after police say he offered to kill Bryant's accuser for $3 million.
Charles Feldman is in Los Angeles, and he's following this story for us. It's a strange twist, Charles.
CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It sure is, Miles. Graber is in the United States illegally now, his visa having expired. He apparently sent a letter a few weeks back to Kobe Bryant, offering to take care of the problem, meaning to kill the young woman who claims that Kobe Bryant sexually assaulted her. Bryant's people then contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department. And a sting operation went under way, which was video and audiotaped. And as I said, it all began with that letter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEE BACA, SHERIFF, L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.: The letter was the trigger point. The real part of the investigation is when our undercover investigators contacted him directly and personally and met with him on three occasions. This started on September the 8th. And so he revealed to us the information about his intended victim's whereabouts, where she lived, and the activities that he was able to monitor. He also specifically explained how he would get this murder accomplished.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FELDMAN: Now Graber is, as I said, he's going to be arraigned on Monday. And there you see a picture of Kobe Bryant, who of course is the Los Angeles Lakers' star.
As for Graber, he will be arraigned on Monday. Police officials say they are looking for possible, possible, other suspects involved in this plot. Why? Because Graber claimed he was part of the Russian Mafia. No proof, though, that he was, but they're going to take that claim for the time being, at least semi seriously. So they are looking for possibly other suspects in this case.
Right now, though, only one person under arrest on suspicion of solicitation of murder. Strange twist, indeed -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: Charles Feldman in Los Angeles, thanks very much.
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 September 19, 2003 - 13:10 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Bizarre twist involving Kobe Bryant's sexual assault case to tell you about. A Swiss body builder behind bars today after police say he offered to kill Bryant's accuser for $3 million.
Charles Feldman is in Los Angeles, and he's following this story for us. It's a strange twist, Charles.
CHARLES FELDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It sure is, Miles. Graber is in the United States illegally now, his visa having expired. He apparently sent a letter a few weeks back to Kobe Bryant, offering to take care of the problem, meaning to kill the young woman who claims that Kobe Bryant sexually assaulted her. Bryant's people then contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department. And a sting operation went under way, which was video and audiotaped. And as I said, it all began with that letter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEE BACA, SHERIFF, L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.: The letter was the trigger point. The real part of the investigation is when our undercover investigators contacted him directly and personally and met with him on three occasions. This started on September the 8th. And so he revealed to us the information about his intended victim's whereabouts, where she lived, and the activities that he was able to monitor. He also specifically explained how he would get this murder accomplished.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FELDMAN: Now Graber is, as I said, he's going to be arraigned on Monday. And there you see a picture of Kobe Bryant, who of course is the Los Angeles Lakers' star.
As for Graber, he will be arraigned on Monday. Police officials say they are looking for possible, possible, other suspects involved in this plot. Why? Because Graber claimed he was part of the Russian Mafia. No proof, though, that he was, but they're going to take that claim for the time being, at least semi seriously. So they are looking for possibly other suspects in this case.
Right now, though, only one person under arrest on suspicion of solicitation of murder. Strange twist, indeed -- Miles.
O'BRIEN: Charles Feldman in Los Angeles, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
