Kobe gets arrested for sexual assault
EAGLE, Colo. -- Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has posted a $25,000 bond in Eagle on a felony count of sexual assault and has been released, according to the Eagle County sheriff's office.
Bryant
In a statement Sunday, authorities said the warrant was issued after deputies investigated a report made Tuesday claiming sexual misconduct by Bryant.
The report said the incident happened in a hotel in the Edwards area of Eagle County that night.
After a series of interviews and a review of the physical evidence, investigators met with representatives for District Attorney Mark Hurlbert and concluded they had enough evidence for the felony sexual assault count, the statement said.
"During the investigation Bryant was cooperative with investigators and remains cooperative with authorities," the sheriff's office said in a prepared statement.
Bryant turned himself in at the sheriff's detention facility in Eagle on Friday and posted a bond of $25,000, authorities said.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak issued a statement expressing surprise.
"These allegations are completely out of character of the Kobe Bryant we know," it said. "For the seven years he's been with us he has been one of the finest young men we've known and a wonderful asset to both our team and our community.
"However, since this is a legal matter being handled by the authorities in Colorado, we must refrain from further comment at this time."
Few details are being released after an order by Judge Russell Granger that the case would be sealed to the public.
Public Information Officer Kim Andree said the fax would be the only statement made available from the sheriff's office at this point.
Bryant, a guard, averaged 26.6 points and 5.8 assists in four games in the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets in 2002, and he was picked to the 2001-02 All-NBA First Team, according to the Lakers.
The 24-year-old was named MVP of the 2002 All-Star Game after getting 31 points. He has the record as being the young All-Star in the NBA. posting 18 points and 6 rebounds in the 1998 game in New York.
He also was the youngest player to debut in the NBA, at the age of 18 years, two months and 11 days.
As a high school student, he was selected by USA Today and Parade Magazine as National High School Player of the Year.
He married in April 2001 and he and his wife had their first child, a daughter, in January.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
EAGLE, Colo. -- Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has posted a $25,000 bond in Eagle on a felony count of sexual assault and has been released, according to the Eagle County sheriff's office.
Bryant
In a statement Sunday, authorities said the warrant was issued after deputies investigated a report made Tuesday claiming sexual misconduct by Bryant.
The report said the incident happened in a hotel in the Edwards area of Eagle County that night.
After a series of interviews and a review of the physical evidence, investigators met with representatives for District Attorney Mark Hurlbert and concluded they had enough evidence for the felony sexual assault count, the statement said.
"During the investigation Bryant was cooperative with investigators and remains cooperative with authorities," the sheriff's office said in a prepared statement.
Bryant turned himself in at the sheriff's detention facility in Eagle on Friday and posted a bond of $25,000, authorities said.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak issued a statement expressing surprise.
"These allegations are completely out of character of the Kobe Bryant we know," it said. "For the seven years he's been with us he has been one of the finest young men we've known and a wonderful asset to both our team and our community.
"However, since this is a legal matter being handled by the authorities in Colorado, we must refrain from further comment at this time."
Few details are being released after an order by Judge Russell Granger that the case would be sealed to the public.
Public Information Officer Kim Andree said the fax would be the only statement made available from the sheriff's office at this point.
Bryant, a guard, averaged 26.6 points and 5.8 assists in four games in the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets in 2002, and he was picked to the 2001-02 All-NBA First Team, according to the Lakers.
The 24-year-old was named MVP of the 2002 All-Star Game after getting 31 points. He has the record as being the young All-Star in the NBA. posting 18 points and 6 rebounds in the 1998 game in New York.
He also was the youngest player to debut in the NBA, at the age of 18 years, two months and 11 days.
As a high school student, he was selected by USA Today and Parade Magazine as National High School Player of the Year.
He married in April 2001 and he and his wife had their first child, a daughter, in January.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
