The Denver Post
Bryant judge apologizes to accuser's kin
Sunday, August 01, 2004 -
Eagle - The judge in the Kobe Bryant sex-assault case apologized to the family of the alleged victim Friday, hours after her attorney demanded an apology from the judge for mistakenly posting the alleged victim's name on an official court website.
State District Judge Terry Ruckriegle apologized at the start of a four-hour pretrial hearing in the basketball star's case. He addressed the accuser's parents, who were sitting in his courtroom. "I want to express my sincere apology to the people of Eagle County, the people of Colorado and the people who have come here from far away for the mistake made by the courts this week," Ruckriegle said. Bryant is accused of sexually assaulting the woman, then 19, in June 2003 at an Eagle County resort. The defendant, who is married, has maintained that the two had consensual sex. On Wednesday afternoon, a sealed court order containing the accuser's last name appeared on the website. It included comments by the judge about DNA evidence obtained from Bryant. John Clune, an attorney for the accuser, told The Denver Post on Thursday night that a letter of apology from a court administrator, as originally proposed by judicial officials, wouldn't satisfy the woman's family. "We have no interest in any apology that doesn't come from the judge himself," Clune said. Meanwhile, attorneys for the media covering the case filed another request Friday with the U.S. Supreme Court demanding that a judge rescind a do-not- publish order covering transcripts from closed hearings.
Click here for an interactive presentation on Kobe Bryant's career.
Click here for the official court website with court orders and other documents in the People v. Bryant case.
Click here for The Denver Post's graphic on the events of June 30.
Click here for the 9NEWS archive on the case.
Click here for the CourtTV archive on the case.
Also on Friday, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer granted Ruckriegle's request for an extension to black out parts of the transcripts that were mistakenly e-mailed to seven news organizations, including The Denver Post. "Each additional day that a prior restraint remains in place constitutes a cognizable and irreparable constitutional injury," media attorney Tom Kelley wrote, citing previous Supreme Court rulings. Breyer had backed the Colorado Supreme Court in ruling that the prior restraint on publication - normally prohibited under the First Amendment - was acceptable to protect a fair trial. But he asked that the trial judge quickly release the transcripts to alleviate the conflict. Kelley noted that Ruckriegle ruled last week that much of the testimony from the closed-door hearing focusing on the accuser's private life will be admissible at trial, obviating the need for secrecy. In court Friday, Ruckriegle's apology to a packed courtroom for the latest mistake came after he listened to prosecutors and defense attorneys discuss jury selection procedures. "For all of those who come though these doors, victims and defendants alike, ... I can only assure you that I have learned lessons from these mistakes and that we will give our best human effort not to let it happen again," Ruckriegle said. "Again, I apologize," he said, looking directly at the accuser's parents. Her father responded with a nod. The incident Wednesday marked the third time that sensitive material contained in court documents has been released mistakenly. The latest gaffe came days after Clune told Ruckriegle during a court hearing that his client had considered dropping out of the case because of the leaks. He said the woman felt betrayed by the judge and the judicial system. The alleged victim and her family have been subjected to constant harassment and death threats as a result, he said. Some legal analysts believe that the leaks - which often have contained allegations made by the defense - have hurt the prosecution's case and invaded the young woman's privacy. Not all legal observers share that view. Clune, however, has said the leaks have had a devastating impact on his client. Staff writer Howard Pankratz can be reached at 303-820-1929 or hpankratz@denverpost.com . Staff writer Steve Lipsher can be reached at 970-513-9495 or slipsher@denverpost.com |