# Prosecutors to drop all charges against Kobe Bryant **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 1, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660 "2004-09-01T22:16:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/1 "2004-09-01T22:16:27Z")
[http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/US/kobe\_bryant\_dismiss\_040901-1.html](http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/US/kobe_bryant_dismiss_040901-1.html) The victim no longer wants to testify. > [@](#): > > Prosecutors will file a motion this afternoon to dismiss the sexual assault charge against Kobe Bryant, according to sources familiar with the case. > > The motion will say that the request is based on an agreement between the prosecution and the alleged victim. The young woman has told prosecutors she is no longer willing to testify, sources told ABC News. (Am I first? What do I win? :)) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/2 "2004-09-01T22:22:04Z")
Wow. I’m not surprised she’s declining to testify, after all the reports of threats made against her. If he didn’t do what he was accused of, I feel a little sorry for Kobe. That accusation is going to follow him for the rest of his life. If he did do it, he needs more punishment than that. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Long\_Road](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@The\_Long\_Road](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Long_Road)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/3 "2004-09-01T22:22:30Z")
> [@Dooku](#): > > [http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/US/kobe\_bryant\_dismiss\_040901-1.html](http://abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/US/kobe_bryant_dismiss_040901-1.html) > > The victim no longer wants to testify. > > (Am I first? What do I win? :)) What’s with the Pit being converted to CNN? What are you pitting here? ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/4 "2004-09-01T22:27:48Z")
> [@](#): > > What’s with the Pit being converted to CNN? What are you pitting here? Somehow I didn’t think the replies would be all moonbeams and lollipops. Just saving the Mods some time. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/5 "2004-09-01T22:29:51Z")
Even if she refused to testify, the prosecution’s case was getting perilously thin. So thin, in fact, that they were milimeters away from dismissing the case on their own. Unfortunately, since the victim no longer wants to testify, Kobe’s name isn’t going to be cleared in any way. At least if the prosecution dropped the case or requested a dismissal, it’s SOMETHING better than the victim not testifying. Do the reports say whether or not she was going to drop her civil suit? She filed it before the trial got under way in colorado, probably hoping to get a decision based not on proof of fact, but on the emotions of the jurors, as there was no decision, proof or a formal crime for which Kobe was found guilty. Sam ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/6 "2004-09-01T22:30:33Z")
> [@The Devil's Grandmother](#): > > If he didn’t do what he was accused of, I feel a little sorry for Kobe. That accusation is going to follow him for the rest of his life. If he did do it, he needs more punishment than that. Arnold was accused of similar things, and all he did was become a huge movie star and Governor of Caulifornia. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/7 "2004-09-01T22:50:20Z")
Most likely the prosecution discovered what a money grubbing, opportunistic little twat she actually is and started backpeddling before they got their asses handed to them. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/8 "2004-09-01T23:01:33Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Most likely the prosecution discovered what a money grubbing, opportunistic little twat she actually is and started backpeddling before they got their asses handed to them. Or to give her a marginally better case in the civil suit, they advised her not to testify so they could drop the charges without having to drop on the grounds of not having a case. It looks a shade better for her civilly if she decided not to testify as compared to the prosecution dropping the charges on the grounds of a lack of evidence. Sam ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/9 "2004-09-01T23:58:25Z")
Apparently the DNA evidence was going to show that she had sex with at least one other man \*after \* Bryant, but before she claimed rape (the evidence seems to have been her injuries, and nothing else - but who caused them?). She also got something like $20K from a state victim’s fund, already. She might well not have been willing to testify about either of those things. So what we got here is a trophy-hunting DA looking to get his mug on TV every day for a few weeks, and go on to higher office as The Kobe Bryant Prosecutor. Shoulda made sure there was a case first, though. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/10 "2004-09-02T00:14:10Z")
I’m so confused. _I_ understood it to be that the prosecution had declined to use a witness - a forensic pathologist - whose testimony, they realized, could actually help Bryant’s case, but failed to notify the defense, and that on those grounds, the case was dismissed per the Defense’s request. And the civil suit is still going forward. ---
**Author:** ![Chata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Chata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chata)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/11 "2004-09-02T00:29:24Z")
Any word on the unconfirmed are reports OJ sent Kobe a bottle of champagne? ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/12 "2004-09-02T00:48:57Z")
This prosecutor needs to shut the holy fuck up so ESPN can get back to the game. Jesus Christ. SHUT UP! SHUT UP! ---
**Author:** ![ZeroGyro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47774/32.png) [@ZeroGyro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZeroGyro)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/13 "2004-09-02T01:11:53Z")
How many goddamn hours have been dedicated on TV to this fuckin case?! Larry King, Jim Abrahms, Geraldo Rivera… I **really** hate the news in this country. As you can see, I just didnt give a shit about what happened day-to-day on the case. But what was worse than the over exposure of the case was when all sorts of psychopaths took sides like they had ongoing interests, let the facts be damned. There were the loons who argued “Kobe’s rich and famous! Why would he need to rape the bitch?” and the maniacs who shouted “Of course he raped her! All these NBA players are scum and anyone accused of rape is guilty!” Especially that Nancy Grace (I avoid Larry King as much as I can, but I got to know her). Well I’m glad its over. It sounds like Kobe deserves to get off and I feel pretty bad for him. This’ll definitely be mentioned in his obituary, probably first paragraph. But I gotta say, good riddance to this case… maybe these TV folks will start covering the dozens upon dozens of rapes in the Sudan now, but I won’t hold my breath. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/14 "2004-09-02T03:51:55Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > She also got something like $20K from a state victim’s fund, already. My understanding, which may be wrong, is that the money paid for therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, and the like. It’s not like she got $20K cash. I’ll be interested to read in the paper whether the state has any chance of getting that money back since she’s declined to testify. It was going to be an ugly trial, very nasty. Very “he said, she said.” I’m just as glad I don’t have to avoid the first ten minutes of the local news every night. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/15 "2004-09-02T03:54:40Z")
And I’d like to add that regardless of whether her charges had any foundation or not, the abuse and the rancor she had to take was completely unjustified. None of us know, or will ever know, which of them is telling the truth. It’s quite possible that they’re both telling the truth as they see it. Two people are going to spend time in jail for threatening her life. Such actions are bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/16 "2004-09-02T04:09:38Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > And I’d like to add that regardless of whether her charges had any foundation or not, the abuse and the rancor she had to take was completely unjustified. None of us know, or will ever know, which of them is telling the truth. . Agreed. And folks will bicker mindlessly about it for years to come. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/17 "2004-09-02T12:37:30Z")
Let’s face it, no evidence directly linking Peterson to his wife’s disappearance has been brought up. I vote we end the circus and drop the charges…oh yes, and charge Amber Frey with adultery! ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/18 "2004-09-02T18:23:02Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Let’s face it, no evidence directly linking Peterson to his wife’s disappearance has been brought up. I vote we end the circus and drop the charges…oh yes, and charge Amber Frey with adultery! And then hang her for her sharp tongue? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/19 "2004-09-02T19:21:24Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > And I’d like to add that regardless of whether her charges had any foundation or not, the abuse and the rancor she had to take was completely unjustified. None of us know, or will ever know, which of them is telling the truth. It’s quite possible that they’re both telling the truth as they see it. Two people are going to spend time in jail for threatening her life. Such actions are bullshit. If she made up the charges, she certainly deserves something. Perhaps a good, hard smack upside the head with the judge’s gavel for wasting the court’s time and the taxpayers’ money. She may not deserve to have her life threatened, but she needs something. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660/20 "2004-09-02T19:36:25Z")
I totally agree with the “money-grubbing twat” reference made earlier. This girl is truly a piece of work. She declines to cooperate with the criminal trial because the trauma would be too much for her. OK, I can see that. But apparently, the trauma involved in a civil trial won’t be too much for her to bear, because there might be a big paycheck at the end of it! Very nice… The case was shit, and the prosecutor never should have filed it, according to my hubby, a former prosecutor himself. The ethical charges he could face with the Bar boggle the mind, let alone the issues with discovery. Let’s just assume he’s going to lose that re-election this fall… And did you hear him thank the Boulder DA’s office for their help and expertise?!? Yep, another big score for Boulder… I sure hope that 8 minutes of (probably sub-par) sex with a 19 year old was worth it, Kobe. So far it’s cost him $2 million in legal fees, $4 million for the “sorry I fucked up, honey” ring for his wife, and millions more in endorsements. I hate things like this. Girls who are legitimate rape victims are victimized anew every time some twit cries “rape” for money. Don’t get me wrong, I think they are _both_ hanging out in the moral cesspool. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutors-to-drop-all-charges-against-kobe-bryant/262660.md?page=2)