By The Associated Press
August 26, 2004

June 30, 2003: Kobe Bryant arrives at Lodge & Spa at Cordillera near Edwards, the day before knee surgery at Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail.

July 1: A 19-year-old employee tells sheriff's deputies that Bryant sexually assaulted her.

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July 2: The woman and Bryant are taken separately to a hospital for examinations.

July 4: Sheriff Joe Hoy issues an arrest warrant for Bryant, who flies from California to Eagle County, surrenders and is released after posting $25,000 bond.

July 18: District Attorney Mark Hurlbert files a count of felony sexual assault. Bryant says he committed adultery but is innocent of assault.

Aug. 6: Bryant makes his initial court appearance.

Oct. 2: Judge says the alleged victim does not have to testify at a preliminary hearing and denies defense requests to see her medical records.

Oct. 9: Preliminary hearing begins; it ends Oct. 15.

Oct. 20: Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett rules Bryant must stand trial in district court.

Oct. 23: Chief District Judge Terry Ruckriegle is named as trial judge.

Nov. 13: Bryant makes his first appearance before trial judge, puts off a formal plea.

Jan. 23, 2004: Iowa man John Roche pleads guilty to making telephone death threat against Bryant's alleged victim. He is later sentenced to four months in prison.

Feb. 2: Citing illness, Bryant skips the first day of a two-day evidentiary hearing.

March 1-2: Defense attorneys say the alleged victim had sex with someone else less than 15 hours after her alleged assault. Her attorney denies the claim.

March 24: The alleged victim faces Bryant for first time since the incident and testifies for three hours behind closed doors about her sexual history. Defense says details may prove she was injured during sex with someone else the week of the incident.

March 25: Alleged victim asks judge to set trial date. In a letter, her mother says she fears for daughter's safety because of death threats.

May 10: Alleged victim makes surprise appearance to watch pretrial hearing.

May 11: Bryant pleads not guilty.

May 27: The judge orders AT&T Wireless Communications Inc. to turn over records of cell-phone text messages sent between the alleged victim, a former boyfriend and an unidentified person within hours of the alleged attack.

June 1: The judge prohibits use of term "victim" at the trial, agreeing with defense that the term implies guilt.

June 10: The judge rejects a defense bid to overturn the state's rape shield law. He later rejects a defense request to instruct jurors that investigators failed to gather evidence that could have suggested Bryant is innocent.

June 25: Judge schedules jury selection to begin Aug. 27; court reporter accidentally releases transcripts of the closed-door hearing to news organizations, and the judge issues an order threatening contempt of court for any that publish the details. Court fight ensues.

June 30: DA Hurlbert announces he will not take a lead role for the prosecution during the trial, citing responsibility to oversee other cases.

July 8: Attorney for the alleged victim hires Lin Wood, a libel attorney who has defended the parents of slain 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey.

July 9: Swiss man Patrick Graber, accused of offering to kill the alleged victim for $3 million, is sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to reduced charges.

July 13: Alleged victim's attorney asks the judge to halt Internet posting of court filings. Request is later denied.

July 14: Judge rules prosecutors can use certain evidence collected from Bryant, including his statements to investigators and bloodstained T-shirt. Judge bars evidence collected from Bryant at the hospital because investigators botched court orders.

July 16: Jury summonses are sent to 999 Eagle County residents.

July 23: Judge says information about the alleged victim's sexual activities in the three days before her hospital exam can be admitted as evidence.

Aug. 2: After losing a First Amendment fight with media, judge releases redacted version of closed-door hearing transcripts in which a defense expert says she believes the alleged victim had sex with someone else after her encounter with Bryant and before her hospital exam. Defense also says the alleged victim has received nearly $20,000 from a state victims compensation fund.

Aug. 10: Alleged victim files a civil lawsuit against Bryant in federal court, seeking unspecified damages for pain, suffering, "public scorn, hatred and ridicule." Prosecution files motion to delay the criminal case indefinitely.

Aug. 11: Prosecution files a sealed appeal with the Colorado Supreme Court asking for a review of the ruling allowing use of information about the alleged victim's sexual activities.

Aug. 13: Judge denies prosecutors' request to delay the trial indefinitely, but grants their motion to limit evidence and testimony about the alleged victim's mental health and any drug and alcohol use.

Aug. 16: Colorado Supreme Court refuses to consider the prosecution's appeal on the ruling allowing use of information about the alleged victim's sexual conduct.

Aug. 24: Judge bars cameras from all trial proceedings except opening (print only) and closing arguments, citing the explicit personal nature of expected testimony.

Aug. 25: Prosecution claims that DNA evidence — "control" samples — tested by defense experts may have been contaminated, and requests a hearing on the eve of jury selection in the trial.

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