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CNN Saturday Morning News
Kobe Bryant Charged
Aired July 19, 2003 - 08:00 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: We begin this hour, though, with the sexual assault case against Kobe Bryant. The basketball star was formally charged yesterday. He says he is innocent.
CNN's Brian Cabell joins us now from Eagle, Colorado, where Bryant is due in court in a matter of a few weeks -- right, Brian?
BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That is exactly right, August 6, Heidi.
You know, it took the D.A. two long weeks to decide in this case, but finally after reviewing all the evidence from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation he did decide. One count of sexual assault or rape against Kobe Bryant. The alleged rape took place in a Colorado hotel room about 19 days ago.
Bryant initially seemed to deny that anything had happened, but yesterday he admitted to adultery but not to rape.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KOBE BRYANT, L.A. LAKERS: You know, I love my wife with all my heart. She's my backbone. You're a blessing. You're the beats in my heart, you're the air I breathe. And you're the strongest person I know. And I'm so sorry for having to put you through this and having to put our family through this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CABELL: It's unclear what witnesses and what evidence the prosecution has in this case, but Bryant's attorneys say whatever they have will not be enough to convict.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAMELA MACEY, BRYANT'S ATTORNEY: No prosecutor should file charges unless the evidence is so strong that the case can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The evidence in this case falls far, far short of that standard. The accusations in this case cannot be proven because they are false. Kobe Bryant did not assault his accuser.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CABELL: Bryant's next court date here in Colorado comes August 6. That's in about three weeks. The trial date, we're told, normally something like six months from now. That could be expedited or delayed. As for his 19-year-old accuser, she is here in Eagle. She lives in Eagle. She has said nothing publicly so far and the D.A. has asked the media to please not ask her anything -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right, Brian Cabell live for us this morning from Colorado.
Thanks, Brian.
THOMAS ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: The NBA had this reaction to the sexual assault charge against Kobe Bryant. Quoting the commissioner, David Stern, "As with all allegations of criminal nature, the NBA's policy is to await the outcome of a judicial proceeding before taking any action. We do not anticipate making further comments during the pendency of the judicial process."
Charles Barkley, though, a former NBA star himself, had this to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES BARKLEY, FORMER NBA PLAYER: Obviously I was surprised and disappointed, but I think Kobe came out and said he made the mistake of adultery and I actually think -- that's what I was thinking from the beginning, to be honest with you. I don't think he's the type of person who would force himself or do anything to anybody. He's always been very professional. He's one of the hardest working players in the NBA. But something obviously happened and I just hope he gets through this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: Bryant faces a court hearing in Colorado. That's coming up on August the 6th.
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 July 19, 2003 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: We begin this hour, though, with the sexual assault case against Kobe Bryant. The basketball star was formally charged yesterday. He says he is innocent.
CNN's Brian Cabell joins us now from Eagle, Colorado, where Bryant is due in court in a matter of a few weeks -- right, Brian?
BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That is exactly right, August 6, Heidi.
You know, it took the D.A. two long weeks to decide in this case, but finally after reviewing all the evidence from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation he did decide. One count of sexual assault or rape against Kobe Bryant. The alleged rape took place in a Colorado hotel room about 19 days ago.
Bryant initially seemed to deny that anything had happened, but yesterday he admitted to adultery but not to rape.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KOBE BRYANT, L.A. LAKERS: You know, I love my wife with all my heart. She's my backbone. You're a blessing. You're the beats in my heart, you're the air I breathe. And you're the strongest person I know. And I'm so sorry for having to put you through this and having to put our family through this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CABELL: It's unclear what witnesses and what evidence the prosecution has in this case, but Bryant's attorneys say whatever they have will not be enough to convict.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAMELA MACEY, BRYANT'S ATTORNEY: No prosecutor should file charges unless the evidence is so strong that the case can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The evidence in this case falls far, far short of that standard. The accusations in this case cannot be proven because they are false. Kobe Bryant did not assault his accuser.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CABELL: Bryant's next court date here in Colorado comes August 6. That's in about three weeks. The trial date, we're told, normally something like six months from now. That could be expedited or delayed. As for his 19-year-old accuser, she is here in Eagle. She lives in Eagle. She has said nothing publicly so far and the D.A. has asked the media to please not ask her anything -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right, Brian Cabell live for us this morning from Colorado.
Thanks, Brian.
THOMAS ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: The NBA had this reaction to the sexual assault charge against Kobe Bryant. Quoting the commissioner, David Stern, "As with all allegations of criminal nature, the NBA's policy is to await the outcome of a judicial proceeding before taking any action. We do not anticipate making further comments during the pendency of the judicial process."
Charles Barkley, though, a former NBA star himself, had this to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHARLES BARKLEY, FORMER NBA PLAYER: Obviously I was surprised and disappointed, but I think Kobe came out and said he made the mistake of adultery and I actually think -- that's what I was thinking from the beginning, to be honest with you. I don't think he's the type of person who would force himself or do anything to anybody. He's always been very professional. He's one of the hardest working players in the NBA. But something obviously happened and I just hope he gets through this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTS: Bryant faces a court hearing in Colorado. That's coming up on August the 6th.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
