D.A. gets more money for Bryant case

From SI.com • Johnson: Already the new O.J. • Layden: Bryant will still move goods • Silver: Where were the bodyguards? • Deford: Fans forgive if you produce  From the wires • Italian company cuts ties with Bryant • Bryants faced hurdles before charges • Bryant attends Teen Choice Awards • Bryant's court hearing to be brief • Bryant called 911 after giving sample • Lawyers face uphill evidence battle • Colo. town girding for Kobe hearing • Bryant loses bid to skip court date • Reports: Some sex was consensual • Prosecutors get more money • Judge issues rules for media

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EAGLE, Colo. (AP) -- Kobe Bryant's attorneys on Tuesday asked a judge to reconsider his ruling allowing news cameras in the courtroom where Bryant is expected to appear next week, saying they were concerned about publicity.

Also Tuesday, Eagle County commissioners gave District Attorney Mark Hurlbert additional money to prosecute the sexual assault case against the Los Angeles Lakers star.

Bryant has said his 19-year-old accuser had sex with him willingly at a resort in nearby Edwards on June 30.

Bryant's attorneys, Pamela Mackey and Hal Haddon, said they were worried that publicity could affect Bryant's right to a fair trial. They said they weren't given the chance to present arguments before County Judge Fred Gannett issued his ruling on cameras last week.

They also asked for a hearing on how the media should be allowed to cover court proceedings and asked to present arguments on any future requests for expanded media coverage.

Haddon and Mackey didn't return calls seeking comment.

Meanwhile, attorneys for media organizations filed motions to open sealed court records, saying many details have already been publicized, some by Bryant and Hurlbert.

"Ironically, at the same time, both the district attorney and Bryant are opposing the very thing that would permit the public to independently test the veracity of their public relations statements, i.e., unsealing the court file," the attorneys wrote.

County commissioners gave Hurlbert an additional $105,000 to help handle costs of the case, and left open the possibility of more.

They approved an additional $45,000 to the sheriff's office for activities unrelated to the Bryant case.

County finance director Mike Roeper said Lake, Summit and Clear Creek counties, which make up the 5th Judicial District along with Eagle County, could be asked to contribute additional money to Hurlbert's budget, which was $2 million before the extra allocation.

Roeper said it was the first time in his 2 1/2 years in office that a prosecutor has asked for additional funds.

Hurlbert also got some additional expertise: Ingrid Bakke, head of Boulder County's sex assault and domestic violence unit, is on loan for up to a year to help with the case.

"She's a solid prosecutor not vulnerable to media influence," Boulder District Attorney Mary Keenan told The Daily Camera of Boulder. "I have no doubt she can handle the pressure."

Eagle County officials are also talking with their counterparts in Denver and are receiving aid from nearby Pitkin County, the county seat for celebrity haven Aspen.

The case against Bryant has put Eagle in a media spotlight. Dozens of reporters are expected next week for Bryant's initial court appearance on a felony sexual assault charge.

Prosecutors and others have been forced to make changes to accommodate the media.

The Colorado Judicial Branch this week is expected to launch a Web site devoted to the case, its first such effort. The page will have information on hearing schedules, motions rulings and other details.

"I've had 150 calls a day. It's overwhelming," said Krista Flannigan, Hurlbert's spokeswoman. "It seemed like it was going to save a lot of us time."

The door to Hurlbert's office, which had been open to the public, is now locked and posted with a sign saying the office is closed. A phone number is posted for visitors to leave messages.

Gannett and state District Judge Terry Ruckriegle on Tuesday issued a detailed "decorum" order for reporters covering the Aug. 6 hearing.

Reporters will be barred from using cell phones and tape recorders and from interviewing people inside the courthouse. No photos or video may be taken of witnesses, potential jurors and Bryant's accuser and her family. Courthouse parking will be reserved for people involved in the trial.

The sheriff's office told reporters and camera crews that they cannot use the courthouse parking lot after noon on Wednesday and must remove their tents from the courthouse grounds.