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CNN LIVE SATURDAY
Kobe Bryant "Disgusted With Self" But Not A Criminal
Aired July 19, 2003 - 18:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: An NBA star widely respected as a role model says he's disgusted with himself for committing adultery, but he's not a criminal. L.A. Laker Kobe Bryant insists he's innocent of the sexual assault charge brought against him yesterday. CNN national correspondent Gary Tuchman joins us now with the very latest from Eagle, Colorado. Hi, Gary.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Fredricka. Prosecutors in the Kobe Bryant case say they will not say anything about the evidence or facts. Kobe Bryant's attorneys say the same thing, but we can make educated inferences by reading between the lines. For example, prosecutors in the case are saying that for a possible Kobe Bryant trial, they have some witnesses in mind. They've released a witness list.
On the list there are two nurses. These nurses are both from the Sexual Assault Nursing Examiner's Office at the hospital where the alleged victim was treated. Now, historically, in sexual assault cases, nurses testify to the physical condition of the alleged victim. Now, that's what history says. The district attorney will not confirm that to us.
We talked to the DA earlier today, and we wanted to talk to him to clear up some points.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TUCHMAN: Is this sexual assault charge basically the equivalent of rape?
MARK HURLBERT, EAGLE COUNTY DA: Yes. There is no such charge as rape in the Colorado statutes, and so it's called sex assault. And different people have different views of what rape is and what rape isn't, and I guess I don't know the answer to that question because I don't know what your definition of rape is. So.
TUCHMAN: Well, in the most liberal definition of it, are you saying that -- are you alleging that Kobe Bryant raped this woman?
HURLBERT: I am alleging that he had sexual penetration or sexual intrusion and caused submission of her by actual physical force. That's what I'm alleging in a complaint.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TUCHMAN: Yesterday, two weeks after Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Laker guard, was arrested, he was charged with one felony count of sexual assault. It is a very serious charge. The maximum penalty is life in prison, although there are wide ranging options as to what that penalty could be.
Now, Kobe Bryant and his wife talked with reporters yesterday, along with their lawyers at the Staple Center. That's where the Los Angeles Lakers play their home games. His wife did not speak. Bryant did. He admitted to adultery with this woman, but said it was consensual.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KOBE BRYANT, L.A. LAKERS PLAYER: We have a lot at stake, I have a lot at stake, and that's not just -- has nothing to do with the game of basketball, has nothing to do with endorsements. Nothing at all. You know, this is about us. You know, this is about our family. And being falsely accused of something.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TUCHMAN: Kobe Bryant has been ordered back here, to Eagle County, Colorado, on August 6, which is two weeks from Wednesday, for an appearance in court. It will be his first appearance. Hasn't appeared in court yet. On July 4, he was arrested. He went to the police station, had a mugshot, paid $25,000 bond, and then flew back to California. But this initial appearance will consist of getting the charges read to him, and his rights read to him also. Fredricka, back to you.
WHITFIELD: Gary, you mentioned that there were two nurses that are witnesses, or will testify, or be able to explain about their examination of the alleged victim. But Kobe Bryant also reportedly went to the hospital. What, if anything, is being learned about what took place on that same night of going to the hospital for him?
TUCHMAN: Well, very specifically, nothing has been learned about Kobe Bryant's visit to the hospital. It's possible there will be witnesses from his visit to the hospital too, but they as of yet have not been listed on the official partial witness list that has been released by the district attorney.
WHITFIELD: All right, Gary Tuchman, thanks very much, from Eagle, Colorado.
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