By Jeff Kass And Peggy Lowe, Rocky Mountain News
September 2, 2004

The alleged victim in the Kobe Bryant case may never have had a hometown advantage, although many local residents said Wednesday they do not believe the Eagle woman lost credibility by declining to move forward with the prosecution of the basketball star.

"Nobody in their right mind wants to get in front of a jury and say, 'This is the last time we had sex, and this is why, and this is how,' " said Erin Cochrane, 19, who attended high school with the alleged victim.

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Cochrane also is friends with the woman's former boyfriend, Matt Herr, who was pulled into the case and asked for a sample of his DNA.

Cochrane, who now attends Colorado State University in Fort Collins, said Herr has not discussed the case and she has spoken with the alleged victim only once since the case began, on an unrelated topic.

Julie Siminoe said she was subpoenaed, along with her daughter, Lindsey McKinney. Siminoe said she does not believe the alleged victim's story has been diminished by the dismissal of the criminal case.

"To me, it makes her look maybe like she's not sure whether she's strong enough to go through with it," she said.

Siminoe, 40, said she and her daughter were relieved they would not have to testify. McKinney, who had once lived with the alleged victim, already had testified at a closed, pretrial hearing.

McKinney still questions whether an assault took place.

"I've always been very iffy about it. I had a lot of doubt in my mind," she said, adding: "I hope he doesn't end up giving her a lot of money. He may have to."

Copyright 2004, Rocky Mountain News. All Rights Reserved.