District judge to advise NBA star of his rights

By Peggy Lowe, Rocky Mountain News
November 13, 2003

EAGLE - NBA star Kobe Bryant will be back here today for a court hearing that is expected to be much like his first one - a perfunctory appearance just seven minutes long.

Today is Bryant's first stop in district court, a step up from the Eagle County Court where his criminal case started.

Eagle County District Judge Terry Ruckriegle will advise Bryant of his rights and the charge against him - felony sexual assault - and the possible penalty - four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation.

Ruckriegle has approved a media request for video and still cameras in the courtroom.

Bryant may also enter a plea, but he's not expected to do so today, said Krista Flannigan, the Eagle County District Attorney's spokeswoman.

Colorado's "speedy trial" law kicks in when a plea is made, meaning Bryant's trial would have to begin in six months.

"That clock would not begin to run until you enter a plea of not guilty," said Craig Silverman, a Denver defense attorney. "After a plea of not guilty, the state has to put you on trial within six months or set you free."

Bryant is charged with raping a 19-year-old Eagle woman at a posh resort in Eagle County on June 30. Bryant denies the claim and is free on $25,000 bail while playing again with the Los Angeles Lakers this season. Because Bryant is not in custody, there's no urgent reason to go to trial, said Jim Fahrenholtz, an Eagle defense attorney. Bryant's legal team can always use the time to further investigate the case, he said.

"Time is always to a defendant's advantage. That gives you more time to dig up stuff on the alleged victim," Fahrenholtz said. "From a criminal defense standpoint, defendants will typically say, as long as I'm out of custody, I don't need a trial immediately."

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