Kobe makes the mistake that brought down Mike Tyson

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

It is all innocent until proven guilty, but this kind of bad publicity doesn't win Kobe more endorsements from corporate America. Specially when it is in the "sexual assualt" category. Hey, Kobe can still make it, but I must say it could also be the beginning of more troubles for him. We will see.

 

DENVER (July 6) - Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant turned himself in to police and posted a $25,000 bond on a felony count of sexual assault, the Eagle County sheriff's office said Sunday.

 

The 24-year-old All-Star guard was released after turning himself in on Friday.

 

The sheriff's office said an arrest warrant was issued after deputies investigated a report made Wednesday claiming sexual misconduct by Bryant.

 

The report said the incident happened on the night of June 30 in a hotel in the Edwards area of Eagle County, near Vail.

 

After a series of interviews and a review of the physical evidence, investigators met with representatives for District Attorney Mark Hurlbert and concluded they had enough evidence for the felony sexual assault count, the sheriff's office said in a statement.

 

``During the investigation, Bryant was cooperative with investigators and remains cooperative with authorities,'' the sheriff's office said.

 

Judge Russell Granger ordered the case sealed.

 

Attempts to reach Bryant for comment were not immediately successful.

 

``These allegations are completely out of character of the Kobe Bryant we know,'' Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. ``For the seven years he's been with us, he has been one of the finest young men we've known and a wonderful asset to both our team and our community.

 

``However, since this is a legal matter being handled by the authorities in Colorado, we must refrain from further comment at this time.''

 

NBA spokesman Tim Frank said the league had no immediate comment.

 

Bryant was the NBA's second-leading scorer last season, averaging a career-best 30 points a game. He scored 40 or more points in nine straight games in February and also had career-high averages of 6.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists while playing in each of the Lakers' 82 games.

 

The Lakers were eliminated from the Western Conference semifinals by the San Antonio Spurs, ending Los Angeles' run of three straight NBA championships.

 

Bryant underwent shoulder surgery on June 12 in New York. The Lakers expect he'll be ready by the start of training camp in October.

 

Bryant married Vanessa Laine in April 2001. Bryant and his parents recently mended a rift that developed when he became engaged to Laine when she was an 18-year-old high school student.

 

Vanessa gave birth to their first child, Natalia Diamante Bryant, in January.

 

 

07/06/03 22:48 EDT

 

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The

[Lefty]

These kind of allegations always happen but Kobi was known of straight forward and family oriented kind of guy and that's why this is all over the news headlines. This drama will definately effect him to certain extend but it won't be a big deal unless he makes another mistake. Then he will join the Bad-boys gang already filled by Dennis Rodman, Iverson, Isiah Rider, and many others!

[PlayMaker]

Nah, She is just another gold digger chick trying to get rich but you never know, I just hope he didn't do it. And i also believe there should be a double standard, if he is not convicted she should pay the price..

[Gemini_chick]

i don't mean to disrespect you in anyway but you are wrong, kobe didn't make the same mistake as mike tyson, he actually admitted to sleeping with the girl, mike tyson didn't. and something else they have no evidence that he raped her, they have his DNA but he he already told the police that he slept with her. These charges aren't gonna affect his career if he is innocent, and i believe he is innocent. we all know that she wants the money, but the sad thing is she won't get any money and she will only be humilated my kobe fans like myself....peace

[- diamond princess -]

ummmmmhmmmm...i really dont like kobe, but dont mind me:D

[SomeAlien]

its not about money or publicity otherwise this girl would be making the talkshow circuits instead of having her friends bad mouth her to the press. besides if this were about money, he could than sue her for extortion. also this is nothing like the mike tyson case cause tyson is/was a psycho, he has no quarrels over biting a mans ear off or talking about eating an opponents children... he obviously doesnt give two shits about women either. well just have to wait for the courts to decide if hes guilty.