Kobe Bryant Free-for-All Obscures a Serious Debate

[Wonder]

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We have minor-league Los Angeles radio host Tom Leykis naming the 19-year-old woman who accused basketball star Bryant of sexual assault. A day later, TheSmokingGun.com reported that Leykis was charged with assaulting his then-wife a decade ago, when he allegedly "pushed the victim's head into a brick fireplace" and "threatened to kill her," according to a police report.

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We have several Web sites touting pictures of the Eagle, Colo., woman, sometimes superimposed on nude bodies, only to face potential lawsuits when the photos turned out to be of another 19-year-old with the same first name who went to the same high school.

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Other friends of the accuser, on and off the record, have said there is jaw-dropping evidence of assault, although they don't explain what it is. But some friends, reported MSNBC's Dan Abrams, have recalled the woman being at a party, joking about "the size of Kobe Bryant's anatomy." It was the Mirror, the student paper at the University of Northern Colorado, that disclosed the second overdose and forced hospitalization that occurred in February, with friends saying the 19-year-old was distraught over the death of a friend in a car crash and over her boyfriend dating another woman.

Viewed from one perspective, the media have been ripping the accuser to shreds while the Los Angeles Lakers star has been buoyed by his previously squeaky-clean image and legions of loyal fans. (Someone put out word that Bryant had bought his wife, Vanessa, a $4 million ring, one of the most expensive apologies in recorded history.)

more..
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51373-2003Jul26.html

[Booberdawg]

1. Now the other side of the story

Considerable time and energy has been spent speculating on the reliability, reputation, and motivations of the accuser. Let's take a look at the other side of this story - the possibility that the accuser is telling the truth, and that Kobe Bryant might be the one lying.

Sources: Kobe forced sex on woman

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ABC NEWS AND the Vail Daily, citing anonymous sources, reported that Bryant and the woman had some consensual sexual contact but that she did not agree to have intercourse with him.

The network also said the woman, a concierge at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, was in Bryant’s room for less than a half hour. Both ABC and the Vail paper reported that Bryant gave inconsistent statements to Eagle County authorities.

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ABC and the Vail paper said Bryant’s unidentified accuser had given Bryant a tour of the hotel when he arrived June 30 and that he later called and asked her to come to his room.

The Rocky Mountain News reported Thursday that law enforcement sources close to the investigation said that the woman suffered physical trauma in the vaginal area.

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When he filed charges July 18, prosecutor Mark Hurlbert said he had both physical and testimonial evidence to prove the case. He said Bryant forced the victim into “submission” through physical force but refused to disclose other details.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/945921.asp

MSNBC reported several times in the last couple days that Kobe originally lied to the police and said he didn't know the accuser and had never met her. Then when DNA evidence proved he had sex with her, he admitted to knowing her and having sex, but that it was consensual.

In addition, there were several reports on MSNBC that there was consensual sexual contact, but that she refused to have intercourse, and then she "was not allowed to leave the room." That might explain the disturbance overheard by witnesses outside his room when this encounter took place.

It seems to me that the only proof of lying so far has been by Kobe Bryant. He lied to the police about his involvement with her and changed his story when DNA evidence forced him to admit he had sex with her.

I don't think there is any call to be trashing the accuser. From what little facts available so far, they seem to be pointing to her telling the truth.

Linda

[Wonder]

3. How do you like that Booberdawg.

2 posts. yours and the fellow that wants to move on. I guess there are few takers for discussed on the presumed innocence of the victim. Much better we should all contemplate her presumed guilt. Intelligent debate on the subject sorely lacking in comparison. How interesting.

[MrPrax]

2. Martha Martha Mantra

Six trillion in debt and life goes on...Kobe won't to trial coz we can't stand another OJ....
The world of Google and NBA and murder (quite recently) is filled with 'shock and awe'
Unless your devoted to black on white porn Kobe is an non-starter...
oh yeah Martha made less than Bush did with the Harken stock....