By Charlie Brennan, Rocky Mountain News
April 9, 2004

Lawyers for Kobe Bryant have subpoenaed a former boyfriend of his alleged sexual assault victim, seeking any written communication with her, plus any pictures.

The subpoena came to light Thursday when Bryant prosecutor Ingrid Bakke filed a motion seeking to block it.

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A copy of the subpoena, included with Bakke's motion, shows that Johnray Strickland was subpoenaed by the Bryant team to appear at the Eagle County Justice Center on April 26, the first day of Bryant's next scheduled series of pretrial motions hearings.

Strickland became significant in the case after appearing Dec. 18 on NBC's Today show and talking about his relationship with the 19-year-old Eagle woman Bryant is charged with sexually assaulting during an encounter June 30 in Edwards.

In that appearance, Strickland said the alleged victim told him she "has a minor case maybe of being bipolar."

That detail has been seized on in subsequent defense motions, which claim the woman's allegation against Bryant could be explained, in part, by such a medical condition.

The prosecution's objection to the Strickland subpoena alleges that, contrary to Colorado law, a copy was not provided to prosecutors at the time it was issued.

It notes, too, that Strickland has said he has no such material being sought.

The prosecution's filing also states that the subpoena, "particularly the request for any photos of the woman," goes far beyond any "articulable relationship" to the case.

Bryant has admitted to committing adultery with the young woman, but contends their contact was consensual.

No trial date in the case has been set.

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