kobe charged..

John Stockton

Yeah John Stockton hasn't cheated... with another woman.

How can you imply that?

I didn't really want to comment on this incident because the whole thing depresses me. But...

First, it's never just adultery, as one of you mentioned. Infidelity should never be downplayed, and Vanessa Bryant has shown incredible character and grace for standing by Kobe through all this (but then again, what wife wouldn't stand by a millionaire husband). No one is immune to making terrible mistakes, voluntary or involuntary.

Kobe didn't admit to having committed adultery in the first place, probably because he didn't think the incident would go as far as it has.

That being said...

The DA claims that he has the testimonial and physical evidence to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt. As far as testimonial evidence is concerned, it should have very little impact in court, since it's "his word against hers." Testimonial witnesses must be a neutral third party, but there are none in this case.

Even physical evidence can prove to be circumstantial at best. The DA must be able to show that any visible injury must have been caused by Kobe Bryant. Finger prints in the room, pieces of hair, lint from his clothing only prove that he [/i]was indeed in the room. Even DNA samples from the semen found either in the bed sheets or in the victim's body hold little value in proving rape, since Kobe has admitted to having had intercourse. For rape to be proven, there must be evidence of forced entry--for example, bruises and cuts, around the hands, the face, perhaps rope marks where she was tied down. But injuries like those, one, can be self inflicted, and two, once they occur, look the same, where they are a day old or two days old. Only fresh marks can be taken as evidence. It's been two weeks since word first came out. Now the DA says he has physical evidence? Yes, you can prove that the injuries were not self-inflicted by the shape of the bruises (again, as long the bruises are fresh), but that still doesn't prove that Kobe did it.

I don't know, I'm not a criminologist, nor have I watched CSI, but somehow, the DA's case seems a little weak to me. Maybe it's just my predisposition as a Kobe fan, but while almost anyone can be prone to adultery, it really takes a sick twisted person to commit murder. I guess my feeling is that I just don't believe Kobe Bryant is someone who would do such a thing.

But then again, what do I know. I simply choose to believe in the possible goodness (relatively speaking, as it were) in a person rather than the possible monstrosity.

And I'll leave you with one last thought. If the victim was a gold-digger, you would think she'd come out with a public statement fairly soon. Right now, we don't even know her name. Either they are trying to stay as far away as they can from the perception of gold-digger to strengthen their case, or she really is a victim and she really is grief-stricken.

All the best,

Eugene

But wait... if I were able to really look at this from an impartial point of view, shouldn't I be able to build a case just as strong for the victim? That maybe she really is a victim, and she's not just out for the fame of it all. Maybe it's just harder to identify with a mysterious, faceless 19-year old desk clerk from Eagle Point, Colorado, than it is to identify with a superstar athelete with an, up 'till now, squeaky clean record.

holy crap, i am a kobe fan, he is my favorite player, and with this happening i was in shock , and at first i thought this was just nothing big and it would clear up pretty quick, than kobe gets charged, admits adultery and they say there have physical edivince and etc. and i beginning to lose hope in kobe , than after what you said, i still remain loyal to kobe. i really hope he wins the case...

Kobe shaved himself..... from hisa conference
C'mon patchers we need this LOL

Oh and SEMEN?!?!!?!
NEVEERRRRRRR he has a wife

what does it really matter? If he is guilty and it is proven beyond doubt that he did rape her. Nobody's perfect, everyone deserves a second chance, right?
And even if he did rape her, it doesn't matter he's always gonna be my favorite player. why?
Not cause he's a perfect role model, not cause he's the best in the L, but becasue he's the most fun basketball player for me to watch, and if not for him I might be playing soccer or something else. But I don't care what he is, I'm prolly not ever going to meet him, likewise you guys, so what if he is a rapist, just hope he can still play so we can still enjoy watching him, and so that I don't have to start watching Ricky Davis throw the ball off his own backboard everytime to get a triple double.

I know what you mean, and his personal life should not cloud our judgment of him as a basketball player, nor should we rush to judgment. But I don't think we can dismiss the matter as "so what if he's a rapist". If he has committed a crime, he should pay for it. And that doesn't mean throwing a few million dollars at the problem and going on with his life. If he's done something wrong, he should be punished in the same manner as anyone else.

But that's all if. He's still innocent until proven guilty. But we shouldn't create double standards for celebrities. Sure, it wouldn't be good for the NBA and it's not good that someone without a history of criminal behaviour must be punished because they made a mistake. But the law is the law, so what's goes for Joe Anonymous goes for Kobe Bryant.

ya but Kobe's got them lawyers so... no matter what he did, he's prolly not gonna go like Joe nobody.

And thats just what I'm saying if that did happen Kobe would lose alot of fans, poeple saying "he's guilty but since he's rich he just bullmess now."
And I don't see how? he's still gonna be a good ball player.
And ya Andrew I guess your right, noone can dismiss this issue either, it's just intriguing to know.

He's still going to be Kobe Bryant on the court and we should judge him as a basketball player by what he does there. But if he's guilty of a crime - if - the law can't treat him any differently.

I think Marc Stein's questions and answers regarding Kobe Bryant is a good summary of the situation.

Does anyone with a sober state of mind don't think that Kobe will get away from this and be ready for the start of the season...?

Nah, it's not like he's a guy who involves multi-mega-million dollar corporations, who makes the NBA profit a lot throught exploration of his image and stuff...

Things will be quite clear and quiet come the season's start...

ya your prolly right Tales

The girl Kobe committed "adultery" with can be found here:

http://www.geocities.com/kobewatch

Quite a hottie!

I'd leave my underwear or watch on the table for her too...

Perhaps Kobe wanted to do some variation... He had a brunette but wanted a blondie...

Props to Kobe, at least it was a funny ride, he showed why he is a scorer...

The girl Kobe committed "adultery" with can be found here:

http://www.geocities.com/kobewatch

Correct me if I'm wrong, but has that site been setup to bombard the girl with angry emails and such?

ugh! wtf? he put his whole life at risk for that?! ugh! ugly hoe, ugh!
damn, what happenend to her?

If that is really her, she is not all that.

well her name is Kate Farber...the third thing i know now....
first i heard : 19 year old
then 2nd:i saw hte pics
and then i heard the name...

what's next???

kobe show that you can ball in jail too...(i hope he wont go in the jail)

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that site is on to bash and expose her...that's pretty cold.

"Kobe deserves a second chance"

Bullshit! If a jury of his peers finds him guilty of this crime, his ass should go in jail with the rest of the rapists. One of the reasons I don't like Jason Kidd was the fact that he beat his wife and nothing happened to him. The police took no legal action....and no one even talks about that anymore. If it's brought up it's deemed 'poor taste.' I mean, come on....

So because Kobe's been such a good role-model he deserves preferential treatment over Joe Bob down the street who raped a 19 year old? When there's evidence? I honestly doubt that he'll be found guilty for the reasons Eugene listed, and that's why I haven't really posted, but you guys make me sick...don't you have any values whatsoever? Because he's your favorite player he should be let off and given a second chance, even if he's found guilty? I mean, come on....

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that site is on to bash and expose her...that's pretty cold.

That's just wrong. Most people seem to have written her off as a gold-digger. As far as I know she isn't suing Kobe - he's being charged with a felony. Kobe has admitted to adultery so no matter what the girl's agenda, he was unfaithful. Even if he hasn't committed a crime, he's done something that we consider morally wrong (and as we know, he's not the only NBA player to have ever done that).

"Kobe deserves a second chance"

Bullshit! If a jury of his peers finds him guilty of this crime, his ass should go in jail with the rest of the rapists.

Agreed. What kind of message would it send if he was found guilty but is just given a slap on the wrist? "Hey kids, if you have enough money to throw at a problem it will just go away!" I'm not saying Kobe is guilty, but if he is, then he deserves the same punishment as Joe Anonymous.

One of the reasons I don't like Jason Kidd was the fact that he beat his wife and nothing happened to him. The police took no legal action....and no one even talks about that anymore. If it's brought up it's deemed 'poor taste.' I mean, come on....

That's probably because it's mainly brought up in an attempt at humor, which could be deemed poor taste. Having a serious discussion about it would not be in poor taste.

I totally agree with what Shane said. It doesn't matter who or what the person does in life, celebrity or not. If you commit a serious crime, you should be treated just like everyone else. There shouldn't be preferential treatment just because he's a superstar, or she's a model. A crime is a crime, if you commit it. Be prepare to face the consequences.

emadhn15 wrote:

well, I am pretty sure that the 19 year old girl made this whole story up just for fame and $$$$ ,,,,

come on Kobe just give her some cash and she will shut her mouth,,,

Don't think Kobe's gonna get off the hook just like that.. That is just stupid to pay someone just to get off the hook, pay someone for a serious crime like this. No way in hell.

Travis

she apparently is also had an overdose a couple of months earlier.
http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0720/1583145.html

In cases of this nature, the credibility of the accuser -- whose identity is not being revealed -- often becomes an issue. The accuser's friends have been keeping her overdose a secret -- until now, the Register reported.

The Register quoted legal experts as saying the news of the overdose will be a major advantage for Bryant's defense team.

"This is powerful evidence and the answer to the defense's prayers," Robert Pugsley, a criminal law professor at Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, said. Pugsley added that this kind of evidence, if exploited by the defense, could be enough to shut down the case before it reaches trial.

In cases of this nature, the credibility of the accuser -- whose identity is not being revealed -- often becomes an issue. The accuser's friends have been keeping her overdose a secret -- until now, the Register reported.

But should it be an issue? If that's the way the case is going to be treated - "this girl has had drug problems, Kobe's always been a good citizen, nothing to discuss here, sorry to take up your time Mr Bryant" - then that's just wrong. If Kobe is cleared of all charges it should be because he's innocent, not because the alleged victim has some skeletons in the closet.

what kidd did is in no way acceptable either, and he probably did deserve more than what he faced, but if it is true that kobe did what he is accused of, that is alot harder to be forgiven for. no woman should be humiliated in any way in the manner of the these two situations, but to say so what if he did rape her is on par with the acceptance of all the barbaric incidents that have occurred throughout history. and we are supposed to be so far evolved from when those things didn't matter. but because of the extended leniency that money and fame give to some people it's more acceptable for them to make these "mistakes" than others. if kobe had not gotten into this situation, and someone from this site were to do this to someone close to him, what are the chances of him saying, so what if so and so did it, everybody makes mistakes. if he did do it it was not a mistake that he did it, it was a mistake that he chose to do it. who he is should matter no more than the fact that he is the one to have allegedly done this. whether legally or morally, it is not acceptable. if you are playing with a gun and it goes off and shoots someone, you're guilty of being the one that shot that person but it happened by accident and wasn't that you intentionally shot someone. how can you unintentionally sexually abuse someone in the way that he has been accused. you either know for a fact that you are going to force yourself on them or you are not. how would penetrating her be a mistake in action. if he were squeezing past her in a crouded hallway and his hand accidently brushed her butt, that is a mistake, if he forced her to have sex against her will, whether she decided to stop after starting or not, that is wrong, and should not be excused. if he didn't do it, i hope that the truth comes out and that someone presses charges against her for defamation and she is punished , if he did do it then i don't care if he was the man who saved the world from destruction he should pay for it, and in no less than the way any noname person would.

I don't think Kobe should sue her if he's found to be innocent. After all, it's not a civil action - it's not Farber vs Bryant, it's the State of Colorado vs Kobe Bryant (or the United States vs Bryant, whichever). It's a federal offense, not a civil action. He's not being sued, he's being charged with a crime. As has already been mentioned, that wouldn't be happening if there wasn't a chance he might have done something wrong.

I'm not saying he did it, but there's a chance he's done something wrong. After all, he's admitted to adultery and there's apparently enough evidence to charge him with rape. Kate Farber is not the plaintiff - she's the prosecutors' witness and the alleged victim. She won't get any money out of this if Kobe is found guilty unless she files a civil suit afterwards.

I don't think Kobe should sue her for defamation of character if he is found not guilty. Let's face it, he has admitted to adultery which has slightly tarnished his image. Just as Michael Jordan's image is tarnished by adultery. Just as Magic Johnson's image has been slightly tarnished by contracting HIV in an extra-marital affair. Just as Shawn Kemp's paternity suits have become a running joke.

The point is, he has admitted to adultery. The girl contends it was rape, that is yet to be proven. But he's still done something we consider to be morally wrong - unless for some bizarre reason he's admitting to something he didn't do, he did it - meaning his own actions have ultimately led to a damaged reputation.

I'm also guessing that Kobe just wants this whole thing to be over, which makes me doubt he'd pursue the matter should he be cleared of all charges.