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Bryant lawyers try to stem leaks

Posted: Tuesday August 05, 2003 7:15 PM
Updated: Tuesday August 05, 2003 7:25 PM

 From SI.com
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• Layden: Bryant will still move goods
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• 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 lawyers asked a judge Tuesday to punish any law enforcement officers who discussed the sexual assault case with news reporters in violation of a court order.

The lawyers asked Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett to schedule a hearing so law enforcement officers could be questioned under oath about any comments they made.

The motion came on the heels of news reports in the past week that quoted anonymous sources who described reported injuries to Bryant's accuser and the amount of time she spent in Bryant's room. The sources also said Bryant gave inconsistent statements to law enforcement officials.

Bryant's attorneys, Pamela Mackey and Hal Haddon, attached several copies of news reports to the motion. They said the reports indicated law enforcement officials, sheriff's investigators and Sheriff Joe Hoy apparently violated the July 24 order within a week of its issuance.

Eagle County sheriff's department spokeswoman Kim Andree did not return a call seeking comment.

The brief was filed one day before Bryant, 24, is scheduled to appear in court where Gannett will advise him of his rights, the charge against him and the possible penalty. The Los Angeles Lakers star is free on $25,000 bond.

Bryant, 24, is charged with felony sexual assault against a 19-year-old woman who worked at an exclusive resort hotel in nearby Edwards when Bryant stayed there June 30. He has said the sex was consensual.

Earlier Tuesday, Gannett released a brief that detailed the prosecution's argument against releasing court documents to the public. He omitted details that could be used to identify the accuser or that could jeopardize the investigation.

Gannett has yet to rule on the media's request to gain access to documents including the arrest affidavit, search warrants and other material. Attorneys representing NBC, The Denver Post and other media organizations have argued that the public has a right to view the documents.

Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 


 
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