Denver Post
Report: Bryant accuser sought refuge at treatment center
Wednesday, November 26, 2003 - EAGLE — The woman accusing Kobe Bryant of sexual
assault checked into a medical treatment center to help her escape
relentless media and threats, the Vail Daily reported today.
The 19-year-old woman’s family made the decision at some point
after the alleged assault at the resort hotel where she worked and
where Bryant stayed June 30, the newspaper reported, citing
anonymous sources.
The report did not say when she checked into the center and what
kind of treatment was sought. It also did not provide details on
the facility or indicate whether treatment was ongoing.
John Clune, the woman’s attorney, did not return a call for
comment. Prosecution spokeswoman Krista Flannigan declined to
comment, but told The Associated Press prosecutors were not
concerned about such reports influencing potential jurors.
“We believe that we have an intelligent jury pool in Eagle
County and everything at this point is all allegations,” she said.
“We believe the jury’s going to wait until they hear the actual
facts in the trial.”
Bryant, 25, is accused of assaulting the woman in his hotel
room. Free on $25,000 bond, he faces four years to life in prison
or 20 years to life on probation if convicted. He has said the two
had consensual sex.
Friends have said the woman has been treated twice in the past
year after attempting suicide: Once in February, when she was a
student at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, and
again in May when she was living in Eagle.
Denver defense attorney Craig Silverman said if the accuser sought
treatment after the alleged attack, it could be relevant to the
case.
“It matters if she was under the influence at any critical
time,” he said. “A critical time would be June 30, July 1, or any
time she gave a statement to law enforcement or medical
personnel.”
Bryant’s attorneys have asked the judge to determine whether the
woman’s medical records can be used as evidence.
Under state law, her medical and psychological records cannot be
turned over to the defense — and cannot even be examined by the
judge in private — unless she waives her privacy rights.
Prosecutors have said she has not waived those rights.
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