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American Morning

Kobe Bryant Case

Aired August 04, 2003 - 08:35   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.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: More on developments in the Bryant case. A trial attorney Karen Russell was joining us this morning from Seattle, Washington.
Karen, hello to you. Thanks for being here.

KAREN RUSSELL, TRIAL ATTORNEY: Good morning.

COLLINS: I have a question for you about something that happened on July 3rd involving Kobe Bryant. Apparently, Newport Beach officials said that they responded to a 911 call on July 3rd, went to treat an unidentified woman. This call was made by Kobe Bryant. It was shortly after Bryant returned from Colorado, where he submitted to DNA testing. What sort of publicity is this for Kobe Bryant at this very point in time?

RUSSELL: Well, you know, people sort of don't know which way this cuts. I think the speculation is that he told his wife what happened. But it's a little early now. There are no facts out there to tell exactly what happened.

COLLINS: But when the American public hears this sort of thing, along with everything else that they have heard, is this something that his attorneys are very concerned about?

RUSSELL: I'm not -- I don't think they're concerned about that. I think they're more concerned about new reports that the prosecution has potential witnesses who spoke to the alleged victim after the assault. And this could be potentially damaging, very damaging for Kobe.

RUSSELL: All right. Let's talk about the Teen Choice Awards for just a moment. We know that he was there with his wife, as we just said a few minutes ago, on Saturday night, accepted the award for the most favorite male athlete. This airs -- the pretaped show will air on the very day that he'll be in court. Do you think it's wise for him to be making public appearances right now?

RUSSELL: Well, I think it's going to be a actually good PR move for him, because there are going to be two faces of Kobe on Wednesday -- Kobe the superstar accepting the award with the adoring fans with his wife at his side, and Kobe the accused.

COLLINS: All right. We also know that last week it was revealed that the alleged victim had sought some treatment for mental illness and had actually tried to commit suicide. What will this do for her credibility? RUSSELL: Well, you know, it's going to come down to a situation where she is saying that she withdrew consent, that she originally consented to some sexual activity, but then said no, and so it's going to come down to credibility. It's going to be a he said, she said. But now with these new witnesses, it's going to be, she told them, as well.

COLLINS: And, Karen, isn't that another issue to be discussed in this case, where no means no, at what point?

RUSSELL: Exactly. And the law isn't particularly good at ferreting out what happened behind closed doors. And you know, it will depend on what the physical evidence is, as well as these new witnesses.

COLLINS: All right, Karen Russell, a trial attorney from Seattle, Washington. We certainly appreciate your insight this morning.

RUSSELL: Thank you.

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 - 08:35   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: More on developments in the Bryant case. A trial attorney Karen Russell was joining us this morning from Seattle, Washington.
Karen, hello to you. Thanks for being here.

KAREN RUSSELL, TRIAL ATTORNEY: Good morning.

COLLINS: I have a question for you about something that happened on July 3rd involving Kobe Bryant. Apparently, Newport Beach officials said that they responded to a 911 call on July 3rd, went to treat an unidentified woman. This call was made by Kobe Bryant. It was shortly after Bryant returned from Colorado, where he submitted to DNA testing. What sort of publicity is this for Kobe Bryant at this very point in time?

RUSSELL: Well, you know, people sort of don't know which way this cuts. I think the speculation is that he told his wife what happened. But it's a little early now. There are no facts out there to tell exactly what happened.

COLLINS: But when the American public hears this sort of thing, along with everything else that they have heard, is this something that his attorneys are very concerned about?

RUSSELL: I'm not -- I don't think they're concerned about that. I think they're more concerned about new reports that the prosecution has potential witnesses who spoke to the alleged victim after the assault. And this could be potentially damaging, very damaging for Kobe.

RUSSELL: All right. Let's talk about the Teen Choice Awards for just a moment. We know that he was there with his wife, as we just said a few minutes ago, on Saturday night, accepted the award for the most favorite male athlete. This airs -- the pretaped show will air on the very day that he'll be in court. Do you think it's wise for him to be making public appearances right now?

RUSSELL: Well, I think it's going to be a actually good PR move for him, because there are going to be two faces of Kobe on Wednesday -- Kobe the superstar accepting the award with the adoring fans with his wife at his side, and Kobe the accused.

COLLINS: All right. We also know that last week it was revealed that the alleged victim had sought some treatment for mental illness and had actually tried to commit suicide. What will this do for her credibility? RUSSELL: Well, you know, it's going to come down to a situation where she is saying that she withdrew consent, that she originally consented to some sexual activity, but then said no, and so it's going to come down to credibility. It's going to be a he said, she said. But now with these new witnesses, it's going to be, she told them, as well.

COLLINS: And, Karen, isn't that another issue to be discussed in this case, where no means no, at what point?

RUSSELL: Exactly. And the law isn't particularly good at ferreting out what happened behind closed doors. And you know, it will depend on what the physical evidence is, as well as these new witnesses.

COLLINS: All right, Karen Russell, a trial attorney from Seattle, Washington. We certainly appreciate your insight this morning.

RUSSELL: Thank you.

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