Bryant charged with felony sexual assault

[JCSunsfan]

[QUOTE
I'm amazed anyone feels free to convict this victim of whoredom without knowing the first thing about her. That's really peculiar and disturbing. [/B][/QUOTE]

I agree. For someone to call her a "*****" without knowing anything about her is one of the most prejudicial comments I have ever heard.

Whether Kobe is guilty or innocent, the celeb athlete has all the advantages. He has adoring fans who will give him the benefit of the doubt. It will be tough to find a jury that won't give the "good guy" image of Kobe's some thought. And he'll have the best lawyers money can buy.

Here is what we know. Kobe had sex with a 19 year old woman (not his wife). There is "physical evidence" of assault (I guarantee you that's not just evidence of intercourse).

I suppose Kobe could argue that she wanted it rough.

I sure hope our young guys are paying attention to this, because I would hate to see Amare or Shawn be stupid enough to get themselves into this position.

 

[rkellysunsfan]

You know, one thing I've been thinking about since Friday is the whole idea of "we don't know Kobe", or thoughts along those lines. That's true. I mean, in reality, how do we ever really "know" anybody? I've had people in my life that I thought I'd known for the longest time turn out completely different, for better or for worse. Yet, with Kobe being a celebrity, oftentimes we can get a general idea of what kind of person the guy is even if we do not know him as intimately as a personal friend might. Kobe Bryant, it seems to me, is not one of those people, and because of that people are seemingly to lean towards doubting his innocence. I'm not sure that's the correct way of looking at things, however...

Let's all remember why we don't know Kobe Bryant. When his friends are out parading all over town, going from club to club and from party to party, most of the time Kobe would prefer staying at home and having a sit-down dinner with close family and friends. Anybody who watched the interview Kobe had about his reconcilliation with his parents after 3 years of not talking knows that Kobe seems to value family very high on his list of importance. When he's not hitting game-winners (See game 2 of 2000 playoffs against the suns ) he stays, for the most part, out of the news. As much as people have always tried to paint him as this dramatist, compare-me-to-MJ-please attention seeker, he seems to enjoy staying out of the spotlight when basketball isn't involved. So we don't know Kobe as a person.

Let's face it. The athletes today that we really "know" are the bad ones, because as far as a collumnist is concerned, dirt sells a lot better than purity. We don't know Kerry Kittles, but we know Jason Kidd. We know he beat his wife, and that's how he is remembered nowadays by many. We don't know Derek Anderson, but we know Damon Stoudemire and Rasheed Wallace. We even know Amare Stoudemire now, not for what he does on the court, but because his close family has spent more time in jail than Ruben "Hurricane" Carter. The kind of story that covers the troubling past and possibly forboding future of Amare Stoudemire gives you a 12-page, front page article in the USA Today. Charrity work might get him a little blurb in the "lifestyles" section, if anything at all.

So the question I pose today is this: Do we really not know Kobe Bryant? Before this, he's never done anything wrong. He committed adultery and will spend a good portion of his young life living that mistake down. But it doesn't make him a rapist. I believe that I do know Kobe Bryant, not because I've partied with him at Club X or thrown money at a stripper in an LA bar, or read about his numberous drug charges or heard about him toting his gun outside his California mansion - no, I know him because I haven't.

 

[Chaplin]

Come on. Are IQs falling exponentially here?

EVERY SINGLE THING you know about Kobe Bryant was spoon-fed to you by the media. To me, the most hypocritical thing in the world is to take media reports as gospel with little or no real facts.

Just a few posts ago, it was proven that even the media is spinning different reports! That should tell you that there is as great a chance that Kobe is guilty as he is innocent at this point.

 

[Renz]

Originally posted by Krangthebrain
It proves nothing.

So I guess you are in the "If you go in the room, you are giving permission to be raped" camp?

Is that what I said? No one "deserves" to be raped, but fooling around with a married man definitely calls into question her credibility. Did she go to his room to play cards with him? IMO it makes Bryant's claim that the sex was consensual more credible.

You say that Bryant is a scumbag for committing adultery, fair enough, but women who go after men they know are married are no better IMO.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Renz
Is that what I said? No one "deserves" to be raped, but fooling around with a married man definitely calls into question her credibility. Did she go to his room to play cards with him? IMO it makes Bryant's claim that the sex was consensual more credible.

You say that Bryant is a scumbag for committing adultery, fair enough, but women who go after men they know are married are no better IMO.

What makes you think a starstruck 19-year-old girl would know that Kobe was married?

 

[rkellysunsfan]

How do you guys feel about Stephon Marbury? Is he a good person?

I remember hearing something about how he bought all these cars for his relatives and close friends, and about how much he cares about his kids and everything.. He seems like a good person then, right?

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by rkellysunsfan
How do you guys feel about Stephon Marbury? Is he a good person?

I remember hearing something about how he bought all these cars for his relatives and close friends, and about how much he cares about his kids and everything.. He seems like a good person then, right?

He also got a DUI, so I have no idea how he is in reality.

Remember, a lot of this stuff is self-promotion. That's the whole point.

 

[JJ Slim]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
I know I'm getting into today's arguments a little late, but I feel like I really must say something. I am really disappointed with some of the stupid, ignorant, and close minded posts I've read this afternoon. SirStefan, I can't tell you how much respect I've lost for you in the last hour.

It's one thing to say, "I don't think Kobe Bryant would have done something like this. The girl must be lying." But to come out and say she is just a ***** looking for money when you have no real knowledge of the case.

As far as I know there isn't one person on this message board who has even met Kobe Bryant. Frankly Kobe Bryant's wife should know him as well as anyone, and even she probably only has one side of the story. The District Attorney and investigators probably have a better knowledge of the case than she does.

When it comes down to it none of us have the foggiest idea as to what really happened in that hotel room. We don't know Kobe Bryant, although some of us think we do. We certainly do not know this girl. All we do know is that they were flirting, she went to his room, they had sexual intercourse, the District Attorney felt there was enough evidence at sexual assault to charge him, and he says he is innocent. That's it.

Also, the next time I read something along the lines of "there is no Way Kobe did this because he doesn't need to assault anybody. He could get plenty of women," I'm going to lose it. I remember thinking that way when I was about 15 years old. Then I grew up.

I thought I heard yesterday on ESPN that there was never really a "ruckus" reported by the people in the next room.

I would like someone to please find some documentation of where Kobe Bryant said he did not even know this girl. As far as I know the only thing he had set up until yesterday was that he did not do anything illegal.

Lastly, if Kobe Bryant is acquitted it does not mean that he is innocent of these charges. It just means that the District Attorney was not able to convince the 12 chosen jurors beyond a reasonable doubt that he he is guilty. And if he is found guilty by the jury there is always the possibility that they made a mistake with that decision.

Joe Mama

Thanks, Joe. I agree with everything you just said. I got here a little late too and you wouldn't believe how many times I left the thread before finishing because I couldn't take it anymore and how many times I started a post to say something but quit before it was finished because it just wasn't worth the effort.

I'll echo your feelings on Sir Stefan.

Renz and rkelly don't warrant any type of response and I'm seriously considering adding them both to my ignore list.

Thanks to Chaplin too for trying (somewhat unsucessfully) to maintain a sense of sanity to the discussion.

 

[rkellysunsfan]

Exactly. Yet we still ruit for him. I mean in truth, he could've killed somebody while driving like that. Driving drunk is one of the most irresponsible things you can do.

Stephon appologized and he seemed sincere when he did that. At the time, it seemed like he acknowledged his mistake and used it to learn from it. I don't think he'll do something like that again. But I've never heard him called the "scum of the Earth" for his DUI.

If Kobe is guilty of rape, it's obviously much, much worse than a DUI, but if he's only guilty of adultery, than that's something for his wife and him to sort out. If after all that, Kobe is exonerated and people here still cannot forgive him, than the bottom line is you guys just never liked Kobe, and you're now using this to justify your disdain for him.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Originally posted by schutd
I dont see how you can forgive someone and still think they are a piece of crap though. So, BIM, is he worthy of forgiveness if his only sin is adultery? ANd if he is? Is he still a piece of crap? Did you see the press conference? I was impressed with him and his candidness (pending further evidence, of course).

It's up to Kobe's wife and friends and family to "forgive" him. He did nothing to me except show what kind of person he really is. He crossed the line and no longer has my support as a fan, even though he plays for "my" team.

 

[KloD]

Originally posted by Renz
Is that what I said? No one "deserves" to be raped, but fooling around with a married man definitely calls into question her credibility. Did she go to his room to play cards with him? IMO it makes Bryant's claim that the sex was consensual more credible.

You say that Bryant is a scumbag for committing adultery, fair enough, but women who go after men they know are married are no better IMO.

So it's more likely in your mind that she would be going to his room for sex, rather than to hang out? Sorry I can't buy into that logic.

I also can't help but chuckle at this. HE made the commitment to stay failthful to one person, NOT anyone else. Do not try to put somebody's bad choices on anyone else.

 

[Joe Mama]

Let's all remember why we don't know Kobe Bryant. When his friends are out parading all over town, going from club to club and from party to party, most of the time Kobe would prefer staying at home and having a sit-down dinner with close family and friends. Anybody who watched the interview Kobe had about his reconcilliation with his parents after 3 years of not talking knows that Kobe seems to value family very high on his list of importance. When he's not hitting game-winners (See game 2 of 2000 playoffs against the suns ) he stays, for the most part, out of the news. As much as people have always tried to paint him as this dramatist, compare-me-to-MJ-please attention seeker, he seems to enjoy staying out of the spotlight when basketball isn't involved. So we don't know Kobe as a person.

We know enough about Kobe Bryant to be surprised by the initial charges. We were surprised he cheated on his wife. We don't even know nor should we assume that this is the first time this has happened. We definitely shouldn't base anything now on that "pure as the driven snow" reputation.

So far the district attorney has weighed the evidence against him and come to the decision that he should be charged. Now it will be up to a jury of his peers to decide whether it evidence proves beyond a reasonable doubt that he is guilty.

Don't forget that many of the people that know that girl well are just as sure she is telling the truth as the people close to Kobe Bryant are sure he is telling the truth.

What are the chances any of this will be on court TV or something like that?

Joe Mama

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I dont think it will hit court. For the DA to get a guilty verdict in a courtroom would be almost impossible. Espeically if they tried to match up with Kobe's attorney's. They would need an overwhelming amount of evidence to even have the balls to try it.

I have only read the last 3 or so pages, so I dont know what else was talked about. From just an outsider looking in, I personally believe that Kobe is innocent.

1.) He admitted in a press conference he cheated on his wife. Anyone remember the last athlete accused of sexual assault who did that? As far as I know, the only thing he denies is doing something illegal.

2.) He is a target. In reality there are a lot of people in this world that target athletes in particular for their money. You guys know that woman who sued Michael Jordan last year also has a kid by Dale Davis.

3.) The DA took a long time to choose to prosecute. I know that since it is a celebrity they wanted to have a complete case ready, but realistically, if they had a rock solid case, they would have been able to determine their chances immediately. As far as I know (I am by no means an expert) most evidence for a sexsual assault can be determined at a hospital, and other tests from an outside lab wouldn't prove much more.


So it's more likely in your mind that she would be going to his room for sex, rather than to hang out? Sorry I can't buy into that logic.

I personally think that she may not have gone to the room to have sex, but she most likely went to the room because she was star struck and attracted to him. Put it this way, Brittany Spears shows up at your hotel and invites you to go hang out in her room. What would you first think about on your way there.

I doubt you would thinking about asking her to sing "Oops I did it again"

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Originally posted by SirStefan32
I stand by my statement that she is a *****, and Bryant's attorney will prove it. You can roll your eyes all you want, but the fact is that she is nothing but a ***** and the trial will prove that.

Stefan

Does that make Kobe a "john"?

Did they agree on a price before engaging in sex? :roll:

Calling the 19-year-old a ***** is ridiculous.

She is either a girl who had consensual sex with a married man and is lying about an attack, or she's a girl that was actually sexually assaulted by a married man.

In either case, she wouldn't even be in this situation had Kobe had the balls to stay true to his wife.

Who knows how many times he may have cheated before?

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Originally posted by thegrahamcrackr
Put it this way, Brittany Spears shows up at your hotel and invites you to go hang out in her room. What would you first think about on your way there.

I doubt you would thinking about asking her to sing "Oops I did it again"

I wouldn't be going to her room. I'd thank her for the invite, maybe get an autograph, and go on my way.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Originally posted by Brian in Mesa
I wouldn't be going to her room. I'd thank her for the invite, maybe get an autograph, and go on my way.

lol, well I was trying to make a point, but you have successfully shot that down

 

[green machine]

Originally posted by Brian in Mesa
I wouldn't be going to her room. I'd thank her for the invite, maybe get an autograph, and go on my way.

That's exactly what I did when the situation came up not too long ago...

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by thegrahamcrackr
I dont think it will hit court. For the DA to get a guilty verdict in a courtroom would be almost impossible. Espeically if they tried to match up with Kobe's attorney's. They would need an overwhelming amount of evidence to even have the balls to try it.

I'm not an attorney, but I'm pretty sure that unless Kobe Bryant agrees to a plea they are going to court. I've heard several legal experts say there is almost zero chance that will happen. I know someone in this thread also posted that the district attorney has already said he will not agree to a plea.

Furthermore you don't know what kind of evidence to district attorney has. Obviously he , someone with actual legal experience, feels he does have enough evidence to get a guilty verdict. They afford a shown that they have enough evidence and the "balls to try" taking the case to court because they charged him.

I have only read the last 3 or so pages, so I dont know what else was talked about. From just an outsider looking in, I personally believe that Kobe is innocent.

1.) He admitted in a press conference he cheated on his wife. Anyone remember the last athlete accused of sexual assault who did that? As far as I know, the only thing he denies is doing something illegal.

I fail to see why this would lead you to believe anything. He admitted to cheating on his wife because the physical evidence will show that he and the woman had sexual intercourse. It's called a preemptive strike.

2.) He is a target. In reality there are a lot of people in this world that target athletes in particular for their money. You guys know that woman who sued Michael Jordan last year also has a kid by Dale Davis.

Of course there are people who target athletes to try to get money. That doesn't mean this woman is one of them. There are also a lot of sexual predators out there. I'm not saying Kobe Bryant is one of them, but it's no less likely than the chances this woman is trying to get money. We don't know.

3.) The DA took a long time to choose to prosecute. I know that since it is a celebrity they wanted to have a complete case ready, but realistically, if they had a rock solid case, they would have been able to determine their chances immediately. As far as I know (I am by no means an expert) most evidence for a sexsual assault can be determined at a hospital, and other tests from an outside lab wouldn't prove much more.

But in the end after careful consideration to district attorney did feel he had enough evidence to get a conviction. There obviously was enough evidence that the sheriff's office arrested him quickly. This is a very big case. The fact that the district attorney took some time to consider whether he should go forward with charges doesn't really mean there is any less evidence.

Graham, I'm not trying to attack you. I'm just trying to point out that we just don't know enough yet. I don't think we should rush to judgment until we get a whole lot more information.

Joe Mama

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I know Joe, but I was just giving my speculation up this point.

Of course there are people who target athletes to try to get money. That doesn't mean this woman is one of them. There are also a lot of sexual predators out there. I'm not saying Kobe Bryant is one of them, but it's no less likely than the chances this woman is trying to get money. We don't know.


Very true, but I think that there are more women who are looking for the publicity or money than there are sexual predator athletes.

I fail to see why this would lead you to believe anything. He admitted to cheating on his wife because the physical evidence will show that he and the woman had sexual intercourse. It's called a preemptive strike.


He is fessing up to his mistakes. Of course it is a good legal movement, but horrible for PR. Most athletes and celebrities dont do that. It is merely a character judgement.

I'm not an attorney, but I'm pretty sure that unless Kobe Bryant agrees to a plea they are going to court. I've heard several legal experts say there is almost zero chance that will happen. I know someone in this thread also posted that the district attorney has already said he will not agree to a plea.

If they said no plea, then you are probably right.


You are right Joe, we cannot speculate. But it was just my opinion as of now. I am not saying he is guilty or innocent, but from what I have read so far, I am leaning towards innocent slightly.

Alright, Im going to play W3 for a couple hours, I will check back on this later.

 

[green machine]

Yeah, Kobe fessed up. The truth would have come out sooner or later so he let it be him to announce it. However, this may not be the first time this happened. Do any of us really believe that Kidd only hit his wife that one time?

adam

 

[Renz]

Originally posted by KloD
So it's more likely in your mind that she would be going to his room for sex, rather than to hang out? Sorry I can't buy into that logic.

I also can't help but chuckle at this. HE made the commitment to stay failthful to one person, NOT anyone else. Do not try to put somebody's bad choices on anyone else.

I'm sure she thought Kobe invited her to his room to watch NBA highlights. You may believe that, but I don't. I live here in the real world.

And I'm not saying she is one, because we don't know, but there is a name for women who go after married men..."homewreckers".

 

[slinslin]

Originally posted by Renz
I'm sure she thought Kobe invited her to his room to watch NBA highlights. You may believe that, but I don't. I live here in the real world.

And I'm not saying she is one, because we don't know, but there is a name for women who go after married men..."homewreckers".

You are unbelievable.

Why don't we turn all wife's into Mrs.Christie? Females shouldn't be allowed to meet any married men, they shouldn't even be allowed to talk to them because they might not be able to keep their pants up and rape them.

Yeah she is a homewrecker because Kobe probably raped her. Best case for Kobe is that he wanted to cheat his wife and she wanted him as well. Still Kobe was the one who cheated his wife not the girl.

Being alone with someone in a room doesn't equal wanting sex with someone. And we KNOW that Kobe had sex with her and he is charged for raping her. It is not like they went into his room Kobe thought he could have her was starting to touch her intimate spots and stopped only stopped after she was probably already screaming rape. That's not what he is charged for.

 

[KloD]

Originally posted by Renz
I'm sure she thought Kobe invited her to his room to watch NBA highlights. You may believe that, but I don't. I live here in the real world.

And I'm not saying she is one, because we don't know, but there is a name for women who go after married men..."homewreckers".

So in the real world when a woman meets a famous person she just wants to have sex with him. Wow, what are you saying about the female population friend? No chance that she could have been invited to his room for a drink? No chance that she might have just thought it would be cool to hang out with him?Your version of the real world is dangerous and probably matches Kobe's seeing how he got himself into this mess.

"Homewreckers" is a term used to blame a third party for the person who made the bad decision. It never ceases to amaze me how many people blame others for their actions, BUT it's worse when people blame a third party to excuse the actions of their partner, friend, or hero. Human beings can make choices, they have free will. Just because there are vices and temptations in this world, does that excuse a person for the choices they make?

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Renz
I'm sure she thought Kobe invited her to his room to watch NBA highlights. You may believe that, but I don't. I live here in the real world.

And I'm not saying she is one, because we don't know, but there is a name for women who go after married men..."homewreckers".

Oh my god. You have officially come straight out and blamed the woman for the whole thing!! Without ANY evidence. This is unbelievable!

I'm sorry, but you have got to be one of the most misguided and naive human beings I've ever encountered!

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by slinslin
You are unbelievable.

Why don't we turn all wife's into Mrs.Christie? Females shouldn't be allowed to meet any married men, they shouldn't even be allowed to talk to them because they might not be able to keep their pants up and rape them.

Yeah she is a homewrecker because Kobe probably raped her. Best case for Kobe is that he wanted to cheat his wife and she wanted him as well. Still Kobe was the one who cheated his wife not the girl.

I'm not sure I would say Kobe Bryant "probably raped her". We just don't know. None of us have seen the evidence against him.

Being alone with someone in a room doesn't equal wanting sex with someone. And we KNOW that Kobe had sex with her and he is charged for raping her. It is not like they went into his room Kobe thought he could have her was starting to touch her intimate spots and stopped only stopped after she was probably already screaming rape. That's not what he is charged for.

Earlier I was reading what one of her friends was told. I didn't feel like registering for the Orange County Register, so I don't have the full story. Here's the recap from InsideHoops.

"The woman, who was working the late shift at the resort, told one of her friends that she went to Bryant's hotel room shortly after he had checked in. "She said it was late, so she went to deliver him something," said Ashley Scriver, 19. "She said he was very nice, playing it cool, totally playing off his image. Then he just went crazy," Scriver said. "She said he forced himself on her. He went the whole way. She didn't have a choice." Orange County Register"

If that is truly the story this woman is telling it does seem harder to swallow than what I had originally imagined. I'm not saying it didn't happen that way, but it is more difficult to believe. I thought that they had probably started going at it, and that at some point she said, "stop," but he didn't.

Joe Mama