EAGLE, Colorado, 12 May 2004 — Basketball star Kobe Bryant on Tuesday pleaded innocent to charges that he raped a 19-year-old woman at a Colorado luxury hotel.
“Not guilty,” Bryant told the court, in a nationally televised scene. The Los Angeles Lakers star could face life in prison if convicted of rape. After entering his plea, Bryant’s trial must begin within six months. No date was set for a trial. Bryant’s next pre-trial hearing was set for May 27. After being asked by the judge if he understood the charges against him, Bryant replied: “Yes, sir.”
Meanwhile, the 19-year-old woman who has accused basketball star Kobe Bryant of rape made a surprise appearance on Monday during a closed pretrial hearing. “She was here to observe proceedings,” state court spokeswoman Karen Salaz told reporters without further elaboration. It was the second time the young woman had faced the Los Angeles Laker since she said he raped her on June 30 last year.
