It sounds already like the DA blew it. Even if Kobe were convicted, he may have grounds for appeal.
First off, look at the Eagle Sheriff's press release: [Excerpt:] "Upon review of interviews and physical evidence, Investigators met with the District Attorney's office and
concluded they had enough evidence to charge Kobe Bryant with felony sexual assault. During the investigation, Bryant was cooperative with authorities."
Now, if they had already concluded that there was enough evidence to charge him, then why the delay? Wouldn't they have a grand jury or preliminary hearing at this time? Why does the DA keep talking on TV about how they're investigating and if they do have enough evidence will charge him. What is going on? It sounds to me that the DA and the police hastily arrested him because they were anxious they had gotten the tiger (i.e., someone who's reputation is clean, albeit he might have a skeleton in his closet; and they desperately wanted an opportunity to further their careers). The sheriff's office even bypassed the DA's office to get an arrest warrant. This just doesn't make sense. Perhaps overzealous prosecutor or sheriffs aren't taking their time to do their jobs so there won't be room for appeals. I won't be surprised if any of them get charged for misconduct as officers or DA.
Anyway, as far as the truth of the matter: I think it's difficult to fairly form an opinion when the accuser is protected. I can understand the decision to protect the accusers, though. I also wonder what's with this "felony sexual assault"? If it's rape, call it rape. *Sigh!*
I was able to learn a little about this lady. She's said to be a 19 yrs old and going to be a sophomore by Fall this year. She was a cheerleader at her high school. She was also said to have tried American Idol, but I guess she didn't get picked.
Here's what I think at the surface: Could there be a motivation for filing charges against Kobe? Yes. For someone who once tried American Idol, she doesn't sound like the low key type. If she wanted an opportunity to get noticed so she could pursue a career in entertainment or music, then yes she could do this. Would it mean that her charges were unfounded? No. It would mean that there likely was a sexual contact but it was consented. Now she wanted to pretend it was not; hence she gains publicity. I'm saddened in cases where people exploit the rights women have to press charges of rape. It makes the true cases hard to believe; because the science may show a physical contact, but it's his word against her word when it comes to consent. Additionally, I believe I heard that a friend of hers did say she liked to be the centre of attention or that she really liked Kobe Bryant and wanted to meet him. You also have to wonder what she was doing at that time of the night in someone's room.
On the other hand, I do see it possible that Kobe violated her. He knew he had a good reputation, so he perhaps thought he was fine. Many men who become celebrities think all of the ladies in the world want them. And then when they run into one who doesn't care, they feel that their manhood has been insulted. It could provoke the urge to show their manhood to the persons that aren't the least moved, especially if they're handsome men as in the case of Kobe. Also, you wonder if a guy that married an underage lady (at that time) wouldn't care for a 19 years old attractive woman (even though 19 isn't underage). Lastly, she reported the incident the very next day, which would be different if she had delayed it. So it is possible that he did commit this act. One thing is very likely and almost certain: There was a sexual contact between the two. This doesn't sound like a case of Jane from no where claiming to have sexual contact with a celebrity. What is likely to be the contention is whether or not it was consensual. If that's the case, I hardly feel sorry for him, since he consciously made a foolish decision, in spite of his career and the fact that he was married. Even if it was consensual, obviously he didn't find them important enough not to jeopardise all that he ever had with someone deciding to press charges against him.