Delay sought in star's rape trial
The prosecution has asked for an indefinite delay in the rape trial of US basketball star Kobe Bryant, saying the accuser has been affected by developments in the case.
They said the release of closed-door testimony has also hurt their ability to get a fair jury in Denver, Colorado.
The motion was made the day the 20-year-old alleged victim woman filed a civil lawsuit seeking monetary damages from the Los Angeles Lakers star.
The action, which requires a lower standard of proof than a criminal charge, seeks more than €59,900 in damages from Bryant, who has denied raping the woman in the Colorado hotel where she worked and claims the sex was consensual.
The 25-year-old is married with a daughter.
Bryant’s criminal trial is scheduled to start on August 27.
But prosecutor Dana Easter said the release of the hearing transcript detailing a defence expert’s testimony about the accuser’s sexual activities was “extremely harmful” to the prosecution’s case, especially under a strict gag order issued by Judge Terry Ruckriegle.
“The release of this information 28 days prior to trial will have the effect of tainting the jury pool and impact the ability of the prosecution to obtain a fair jury at this time,” Easter wrote.
Easter also said the judge has not yet ruled on whether the defence can present evidence on the woman’s mental health and allegations of drug and alcohol use.
