The judge in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case rejected a prosecution request Tuesday to seal all court filings regarding evidence.
Instead, Judge Terry Ruckriegle said in Eagle, Colo., lawyers can file motions about Bryant and his accuser that leave sensitive details to be filed separately under seal.
The judge urged attorneys to make sealed filings “sparingly and wisely” and he chided the prosecution for citing “no legal authority” to seal all details of evidence.
“Giving counsel free reign to file any such motions under seal is potentially problematic,” Ruckriegle wrote.
The judge said he agreed media coverage might threaten the ability to hold a fair trial, but backed the solution offered by media attorneys and Bryant’s defense team of filing certain details under seal.
A prosecution spokeswoman, Krista Flannigan, did not return a call Tuesday.
