From the initial count of felony sexual assault to charges being dismissed Wednesday, the case against Kobe Bryant in Eagle, Colo., lasted 13 months but never saw one day before a jury.
THE ALLEGED INCIDENT
June 30, 2003: Bryant arrives at Lodge & Spa at Cordillera near Edwards, Colo., a day before knee surgery in Vail.
July 1: A 19-year-old employee tells sheriff’s deputies Bryant sexually assaulted her.
July 2: The woman and Bryant are taken separately to a hospital for examinations.
July 4: Sheriff Joe Hoy issues arrest warrant for Bryant; he surrenders and is released after posting $25,000 bond.
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. 20: Judge rules Bryant must stand trial.
March 1-2, 2004: 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.
May 11: Bryant pleads not guilty.
June 10: District Judge Terry Ruckriegle rejects a defense bid to overturn the state’s rape shield law.
July 14: Judge rules prosecutors can use certain evidence collected from Bryant; bars evidence collected from Bryant at hospital because investigators botched court orders.
ONE YEAR LATER: A QUICK END
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. 10: Accuser files civil lawsuit against Bryant in federal court. 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 about the accuser’s mental health, any drug or 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.
Wednesday: The prosecution drops the criminal case, saying the accuser is “unable to go forward.”
Source: Associated Press.
