Day-by-day look at the case

Originally Published: August 27, 2004
Associated Press

A chronology of events in the investigation of sexual assault allegations against Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant:

2003

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

  • July 1: A 19-year-old front desk employee tells Eagle County Sheriff's Department that Bryant sexually assaulted her. Bryant undergoes surgery.

  • 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 has since returned to California. Bryant flies back to Eagle County, surrenders and is released after posting $25,000 bond.

  • July 6: Bryant's arrest is made public. Hoy refuses to release booking photo.

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

  • Aug. 6: Bryant makes initial court appearance.

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

  • Oct. 9: Preliminary hearing begins, ends Oct. 15.

  • Oct. 20: Judge rules Bryant must stand trial.

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

    2004

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

  • Jan. 29: NBA fans select Bryant as All-Star Game starter.

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

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

  • March 24: The accuser faces Bryant for first time since incident, 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: Bryant's accuser asks judge to set trial date. In letter, her mother says she fears for daughter's safety because of death threats.

  • May 10: Accuser 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 accuser, a former boyfriend and another unidentified person within hours of the alleged attack.

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

  • June 10: The judge rejects a defense bid to overturn the state's rape shield law. He later rejects 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 closed-door hearing to news organizations and judge issues 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 accuser hires Lin Wood, a libel attorney who has defended the parents of slain 6-year-old Jon Benet Ramsey.

  • July 9: Swiss Patrick Graber, accused of offering to kill accuser for $3 million, sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to reduced charges.

  • July 13: Accuser's attorney asks 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. Bars evidence collected from Bryant at hospital because investigators botched court orders.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Aug. 24: Judge sharply limits media camera coverage of trial.

  • Aug. 27: Jury selection begins.


    Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press

    • SPONSORED HEADLINES

    MORE NBA HEADLINES

    MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM

    ESPN Conversations

    comments