The Denver Post
Hurlbert to bypass big trial
Thursday, July 01, 2004 -
District Attorney Mark Hurlbert, who has been involved in the sexual-assault case against Kobe Bryant for months, announced Wednesday he won't personally participate in the prosecution during the NBA star's upcoming trial.
Hurlbert, who has been criticized for a lackluster courtroom performance on this case, will turn the trial work over to Ingrid Bakke, Dana Easter and Gregg Crittenden. Hurlbert, a Republican, is facing opposition in the November DA's election from Democrat Bruce Brown. "My cynical nature interprets that as someone abandoning the ship as it goes down," said Nathan Chambers, a former Denver prosecutor who now does defense work. "He's been out in front of this case and out in front of it from the beginning when he personally announced the decision to file. It couldn't have come as a revelation to him at the 11th hour that this case was going to take a significant amount of time. "It's been my perception in recent months that the prosecution of this case is in disarray, and this announcement confirms that." Karen Steinhauser, a professor at the University of Denver School of Law and former prosecutor, said she thinks Brown's recent announcement probably was "a huge factor" in Hurlbert's decision.
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"It is such an incredibly time- consuming activity to run for office," she said. Hurlbert said in a press release that he will continue to provide general oversight to the case, but said he can't ignore his overall duties of office. "I have a duty to every citizen in the 5th Judicial District, and if I maintain a high level of involvement in the case, I would be neglecting that duty," Hurlbert said. Easter and Bakke are experienced sexual-assault prosecutors brought in from other DA offices. Crittenden is a chief deputy district attorney in the 5th Judicial District, where the trial is to be held. Hurlbert was appointed by Gov. Bill Owens in December 2002 to fill the unexpired term of his mentor, Mike Goodbee, who resigned. Krista Flannigan, spokeswoman for Hurlbert, said the criticism of Hurlbert's performance had nothing to do with his decision. "This is something that has been in the works for a long time," she said. Asked if the fact that Hurlbert is facing opposition for election was a reason for his decision, Flannigan said, "I think it certainly was part of it, but it was one of many factors." Howard Pankratz can be reached at 303-820-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com . |