The Denver Post
Bryant's lawyers protest
Friday, June 04, 2004 -
Kobe Bryant's lawyers are accusing prosecutors of violating a court order to allow a defense expert to watch laboratory testing of DNA evidence in the Los Angeles Lakers guard's sexual- assault case in Eagle.
In a court filing made public Thursday, defense attorney Hal Haddon said the judge had ordered prosecutors to allow his DNA expert to observe the tests. But Haddon said he received a letter from prosecutors Tuesday saying the lab they chose wouldn't permit Elizabeth Johnson to watch. "The prosecution has chosen an unacceptable laboratory," Haddon said. He asked state District Judge Terry Ruckriegle to order prosecutors to explain their choice of laboratory. Prosecution spokeswoman Krista Flannigan denied the court order was violated. She said prosecutors have no problem with Johnson observing the testing, but said the lab might have policies prosecutors cannot control. "We have complied with the court's order as it was stated," she said. "If there are any little details that need to be worked out, we'll need to do that." Bryant, 25, has pleaded not guilty to felony sexual assault and said he had consensual sex with a 19-year-old woman last summer at the resort where she worked. If convicted, Bryant faces four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation and a fine up to $750,000. Prosecutors haven't publicly disclosed what evidence they want tested, though it is believed to involve evidence gathered during hospital exams of the accuser and Bryant. |