Vinson’s Variety: It sounds like her word against Kobe’s
With the Michael Jordan legacy now in official retirement, a solid argument is that Los Angeles Laker forward Kobe Bryant is the best all-around basketball player in the National Basketball Association – or, possibly, a more sound take is that Kobe was the best all-around player in the NBA. The difference between “is” and “was” very well could hinge on the outcome of Bryant’s sexual assault trial.
As most know, Bryant, 24-years-old, is set to stand trial on allegations that he sexually assaulted a 19-year-old female at the plush Lodge & Spa resort in Edwards, Colo., back in late June 2003. Bryant was a guest at Lodge & Spa, where the 19-year-old plaintiff was employed.
On the day of the incident, several other guests of Lodge & Spa claim they witnessed Bryant and the plaintiff talking and flirting with one another. The plaintiff agreed to take Bryant on a walking tour of Lodge & Spa. At some point during that tour, the plaintiff agreed to accompany Bryant inside his private quarters, and that’s where the issue went, literally, from daylight to behind closed doors.
Once inside Bryant’s quarters, the plaintiff claims that she and Bryant started fooling around, and the situation became sexually passionate. However, at some point, before intercourse, the plaintiff claims she told Bryant to stop. She further claims Bryant disregarded her plea and went on to sexually penetrate her. Bryant agrees with the plaintiff on all accounts except for one: He admits to having intercourse with the plaintiff, but claims their sexual union was entirely consensual. If convicted, Bryant faces four years to life in prison, or 20 years to life on probation, plus a fine of up to $750,000.
The prosecution is attempting to portray Kobe Bryant, married and with an infant daughter, as an egotistical, basketball superstar who is accustomed to having his way with scores of women and turned a deaf ear to his alleged victim’s plea of “no” during a moment of heated passion.
Bryant’s defense is raising numerous red flags concerning the plaintiff: She enjoyed being around stars, and, in fact, aspired to be a star, herself; suspicious police dispatch calls were made to the plaintiff’s home in the past year; a judge supposedly has sealed evidence that could weaken the prosecution’s case against Bryant, etc.
A fellow worker claims he spoke with the plaintiff shortly after she left Bryant’s room, and the plaintiff was “visibly shaken.” How, though, do you prove she wasn’t merely acting? After all, it has been established that she had aspirations to be an entertainer. Also, the prosecution claims to have additional physical evidence, reinforced by reputable medical personnel, that supports their charge that Bryant sexually assaulted the plaintiff.
I wager such additional physical evidence – be there any, actually – is in the form of blood, skin, bruises, scratches, etc. Be that the case, how do you prove those injuries weren’t self-inflicted?
Concerning this unfortunate incident, I have to agree with what one attorney said on television: When you have two adults engaging in a sexual act behind closed doors, minus any other immediate witnesses, just how, exactly, do you prove that the sex was not consensual?
Unless there is a “smoking gun” that the prosecution has not yet revealed, I don’t see how Kobe Bryant can be found guilty of sexually assaulting the plaintiff. It appears to be a case of his word against hers.
(Mike Vinson is a Warren County columnist who can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].)