The Only Kobe Thread in this Forum (rest are in NBA Forum)

[ducks]

A judge, seeking to quell rumors and reports that could affect a trial, later Thursday issued a gag order on attorneys, witness and others involved in the case.

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[KoriEllis]

The verdict: Kobe's lying through his teeth about something. Even worse: Glickman says the way Kobe kept pulling his mouth back suggests he may have been "trying to spit out a confession."

After the press conference, I thought the same thing -- that weird thing Kobe was doing with his mouth made me think he was lying. I had never seen him doing it before.

But then, I saw something yesterday that changed my mind ..

Yesterday I saw an interview with Kobe from during training camp of his rookie year. He was doing that exact same thing with his mouth!! So now I conclude that he does that with his mouth when he's NERVOUS not necessarily when he's lying.

Note: I'm not saying he was telling the truth at the press conference. I am just saying that his mouth thing is not a strong indicator that he's lying.

[baseline bum]

Sir, here's what we have. For $500, this is the "I got a happy ending at the massage parlor and you saw my credit car bill" pendant.

We also have the "I got gonoreah from a pros ute in Thailand and gave it to you" necklace. That retails for $2200.

And finally the "I tagged the 19 year old concierge at a Spa & Resort in Denver and subsequently was charged with sexual assault" ring. That goes for $4 million."

[baseline bum]

Forget the sitom... I want to see pics of Sheriff Shaq putting the cuffs on Kobe on media deay. Perhaps the NBA could use the idea for their next promotional campaign.

The NBA - At least we don't have Ray Carruth

[HollywoodKobe]

What does it say about a girl that accepts a 4 million dollar ring?

As for Kobe's free agency assuming he's not in jail. There are two ways of looking at it.

1) Kobe sees the city of LA standing behind him through this whole thing and can't imagine ever leaving after the support he's gotten. Despite the ring, Kobe still has some making up to do with Vanessa who is from OC and probably wants to stay here.

2) The intense scrutiny of the big city drives Kobe nuts. He can't find any peace. He desires an opportunity to start fresh somewhere else and takes off for a different team.

Of course by the time decision comes, there will probably be other issues including how the season goes this season. As I said before, this is all contigent on Kobe being exonerated of the sexual assault charge.

[ducks]

if he does get off

how could he look at phil and say **** you. I am leaving?

when their hole organization is supporting kobe thru this?

for people thinking kidd would have a hard time telling thorn no what about kobe telling lakers NO?

[scott]

What does it say about a girl that accepts a 4 million dollar ring?

Its says she's not a moron. Accepting a $4mil ring doesn't preclude her from dumping his ass later.

[MissAllThat]

Well of course Vanessa is going to accept the ring. You don't just turn down a $4 million ring, especially not in her case.

[ducks]

Bryant Faces Tough Law In Colorado Rape Case
Severe Penalties, Sympathetic Juries
By T. R. Reid
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, July 26, 2003; Page A01
DENVER -- The clock was approaching midnight, but the date had gone well and the young couple were not ready to part. They went to a bedroom together, both testified later, shared drinks and marijuana, and eventually had intercourse. The next day, the woman reported that she had been raped.
The man was charged with Class 3 felony sexual assault under Colorado's tough new rape law -- the same charge brought last week against Los Angeles Lakers all-star Kobe Bryant.
In that case in Denver three years ago, the prosecution's only evidence was the woman's testimony. There were no injuries to suggest that force was used, no friends to testify that the woman had been distressed afterward. The victim was such a convincing witness that the jury rejected the defense of consensual sex. The defendant, who had no prior criminal record, is now serving a minimum 16-year prison term and faces years of closely supervised probation upon release.
Precedents like that case suggest the difficult legal road that could be facing the 24-year-old Bryant if he heads to trial on charges of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old hotel clerk at a Colorado resort on the night of June 30. Defense lawyers and victims advocates here agree that Colorado is a state where both the law and the public mood has grown significantly tougher for accused sexual offenders in recent years.
"You don't want to be charged with sexual assault anywhere, but Colorado is one of the worst places to be charged with sexual assault," said Craig Silverman, a criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor in Denver. "Over the past five years, the legislature has rewritten the statutes and beefed up the penalties. The goal is to isolate a sexual offender from society, and then keep him under tight supervision basically for life."
Meantime, news cameras will be allowed inside the courtroom at Kobe Bryant's hearing on a sexual assault charge on Aug. 6, a judge ruled yesterday.
After initial denials to the press, Bryant conceded last week that he did have intercourse with the 19-year-old in his hotel suite. The Lakers guard, who has had an impeccable image on and off the court, said the sex was consensual and he is not guilty of the criminal charge.
That sets up a courtroom confrontation that could turn, to a considerable extent, on his word against hers. But the pattern in recent "acquaintance-rape" cases in this state has been for juries to side with the alleged victim, notes University of Colorado law professor Paul Campos.
"If you review the Colorado cases, you can see that the pendulum has swung toward the victim," Campos says. "You get convictions in some date-rape situations strictly on the women's testimony, with no corroborative evidence of a struggle or a contemporaneous complaint."
Jill McFadden, executive director of the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, a government-funded advocacy office, says that "women who are sexually assaulted still have a tough time convincing juries that they were victims." But she agrees the law and the mood in this state have changed markedly.
"It's a combination of Republicans who want to be tough on crime and Democrats who are concerned about human rights, women's rights," McFadden said. "Both sides can agree when it comes to sexual offenses. The result is that Colorado has moved ahead of many states in dealing with sexual assault and with convicted offenders."
The 3-year-old state law under which Bryant has been charged involves four degrees of sexual assault, depending on the cir stances. The most severe crime is rape accompanying a kidnapping. A "Class 2" sexual assault covers rapists who use a deadly weapon or inflict serious bodily harm to force submission. "Class 3" involves the use of physical force, violence, or threats to compel sex. "Class 4" covers sex with an unwilling partner, but not involving force.
Silverman, the former prosecutor, said District Attorney Mark Hurlbert was probably thinking strategically when he charged Bryant with the Class 3 felony.
"Class 4 assault is a lesser included offense to the Class 3 charge," Silverman says. "So the DA can ask the judge to give the jury the option of a Class 4 conviction. If the case is close, the jury may fall back on the lesser charge as a compromise. But it's not much of a compromise for Kobe. It still gets him a felony conviction and a minimum of 10 years' probation."
If Bryant were to be convicted on the Class 3 charge, he could draw a sentence ranging from probation to life imprisonment, plus a fine up to $750,000. First-time offenders are often excused from prison terms, although such leniency may not apply to sexual offenders. In the Denver date-rape case in 2000, the defendant was given a sentence of 16 years to life despite a clean record before that charge. Any convicted rapist is listed permanently on a public register of sexual offenders.
But even defendants who avoid a jail term face a harsh probation regime in this state, following the passage in 1998 of Colorado's Sexual Offenders Lifetime Supervision Act.
To be considered for probation, a convicted offender must admit to having committed rape -- a condition Bryant might not want to meet even if convicted. During probation the offender must attend mandatory treatment programs and report regularly for testing by polygraph and plethysmograph, a physical exam that measures recent sexual activity.
Although "date rape" cases often come down to the testimony of those involved, defense lawyers and prosecutors here say they expect to see additional evidence in the Bryant case.
Hurlbert has said he will rely on "testimonial and physical evidence" to make his case. Lawyers say he may be referring to bruises or other signs of a struggle on the victim's body, and the testimony of "outcry witnesses" -- friends who may have seen her in distress after the disputed evening.
© 2003 The Washington Post Company scoop

[ducks]

To be considered for probation, a convicted offender must admit to having committed rape -- a condition Bryant might not want to meet even if convicted. During probation the offender must attend mandatory treatment programs and report regularly for testing by polygraph and plethysmograph, a physical exam that measures recent sexual activity.

:shock

[ducks]

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DENVER - The FBI (news - web sites) is investigating threats against the district attorney prosecuting basketball star Kobe Bryant (news), The Denver Post reported Saturday on its Web site.
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Krista Flannigan, spokeswoman for District Attorney Mark Hurlbert, confirmed on Saturday that the threats were being investigated. The FBI did not return a call asking for comment Saturday morning.
"I wouldn't say threats (against the prosecutor) are common but it has happened in the past," Flannigan said.
Flannigan wouldn't comment on whether any threats had been made against the 19-year-old woman who alleges Bryant sexually assaulted her in Eagle County.
Nor would she say what precautions if any Hurlbert has taken. Visitors entering the office now must show identification and the door is locked, The Post said.
"It has been difficult for people to get their regular work done and accommodate the media, although I think they have a done a remarkable job," Flannigan said in a telephone interview.

[LittleGeneral]

Very, very interesting, ducks. Keep us posted.

[ducks]

EAGLE - Kobe Bryant's alleged victim was "almost in tears" after attending a party during which people asked her about the encounter, a friend said Friday.

"Some guys . . . were giving her a hard time," Nicole McDonough, 18, said Friday. "By the end of the night she was almost in tears."

Other reports this week have said the 19-year-old woman was bragging about having sex with Bryant. Steve Evancho, of nearby Gypsum, who reportedly hosted the party, declined to comment.

The woman, "was not bragging about anything," McDonough said.

She had gone to the party days after the sexual assault charge was filed July 18, trying to act like a normal teen, McDonough said. But she had some trepidation.

"She didn't really want to be asked by people" about the Bryant incident, McDonough said.

"She's just sick of the media," McDonough said.

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On Friday, Eagle County Court Judge Frederick W. Gannett announced rules governing the media in his courtroom. He said he'll allow one video camera and one still camera during proceedings.

Reports indicate the alleged victim attempted a pill overdose two months before she met the Los Angeles basketball player, and University of Northern Colorado police also determined she was a danger to herself four months before the two crossed paths. The woman was a freshman last year at UNC.

Friends say the woman normally has a strong cons ution.

"She's always been a happy person so it's completely out of character for her to attempt suicide," Scriver said.

[ducks]

if anyone is intersted in what a penile plethysmograph is click on the link
some intersting reading there if you are bored
webpage

[MissAllThat]

She had gone to the party days after the sexual assault charge was filed July 18, trying to act like a normal teen, McDonough said. But she had some trepidation.

I feel sorry for her if this is true. I can understand that she would try to go on with her life, and it's pretty horrible that people would antagonize her for it.

[LittleGeneral]

if anyone is intersted in what a penile plethysmograph is click on the link
some intersting reading there if you are bored
webpage

ducks, I'd recommend clicking the link even if you aren't bored.

[ducks]

The judge this week will review written arguments about whether to make public 911 calls made during the past year from the home of the alleged victim in the Kobe Bryant case.

Police were called to her home earlier this year. The Vail Daily newspaper has sued to have the tapes made public.

Bryant is charged with one count of sexual assault after the woman claimed to police that he assaulted her June 30 at a mountain lodge where she worked and Bryant was staying.

Bryant, who is married, has acknowledged having had sex with the woman, but insists it was consensual and that he did not assault her.

Though Judge Richard H. Hart could rule as soon as Tuesday on the phone tapes, an attorney for the newspaper predicted the 5th Judicial District judge will delay his decision until after another judge hears oral arguments about whether to unseal court do ents -- including the arrest warrant -- related to the case.

Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett is to hear those arguments Thursday and is expected to decide the issue this week.

Prosecution and defense lawyers have said they want all the do ents to remain sealed and last week Gannett issued an order limiting what the lawyers can say outside the courtroom.

Gannett ruled Friday that one video camera and one still camera would be allowed in the August 6 hearing for Bryant.

That decision came after media outlets filed a pe ion requesting expanded coverage of the hearing, in which the Los Angeles Lakers star will hear the charge against him.

Gannett on Thursday told lawyers and investigators not to make statements outside of court that would have"substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing" proceedings in the case.

He stopped short of issuing a full gag order against participants in that hearing, but reminded lawyers and law enforcement officials of their obligations under professional conduct standards and said the order was issued "to advise and remind those interest of this matter of the applicable restrictions."

Meanwhile, the case has stirred strong emotions. This past weekend a spokeswoman for Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert said his office has received a number of threats in recent days.

The FBI and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation are investigating the threats.

Spokeswoman Krista Flannigan would not divulge the nature of the threats, but she said the doors to the office of District Attorney Mark Hurlbert were locked Friday, even though the office carried on its normal business.

Also over the weekend, Kobe's lawyers were in Eagle County trying to learn all they can about the alleged victim.

CNN Correspondent Josie Burke and Producer Adam Reiss contributed to this report.
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[ducks]

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Tuesday, July 29
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Judge issues rules for media covering Bryant case
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Associated Press

EAGLE, Colo. (AP) _ Citing ``intense public and media interest'' in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case, a judge issued a detailed order Tuesday for reporters covering next week's hearing.

Reporters will be barred from using cell phones and tape recorders inside the courthouse; photographing witnesses, potential jurors, and Bryant's accuser and her family; and parking on court grounds. Those spaces will be reserved for people involved in the trial, according to District Judge Terry Ruckriegle's order.

Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert has filed a felony charge of sexual assault against Bryant, a Los Angeles Lakers star accused of assaulting a 19-year-old Eagle woman June 30.

Bryant has said the sex was consensual. His initial court appearance is scheduled Aug. 6.

Hundreds of daily media calls have prompted officials to lock the district attorney's office to the public.

The Colorado Judicial Branch is launching a page this week devoted to the high-profile case on its Web site (www.courts.state.co.us) The page will have information on hearing schedules, motions rulings, biographies of judges and other details.

``I've had 150 calls a day. It's overwhelming,'' said Krista Flannigan, spokeswoman for the prosecutor. ``It seemed like it was going to save a lot of us time. Especially as court orders come out, they just don't have the staffing to make sure the media has everything.''

The door to Hurlbert's office, which previously had been open to the public, is now locked and posted with a sign saying the office is closed. A phone number is posted for visitors to leave messages.


Note: The following stories are the most recent wire transmissions from SportsTicker and other ESPN.com sources. Versions of some of these stories appear elsewhere on the service.

[ducks]

LOS ANGELES - Sunday night Matt Drudge reported on his nationally syndicated radio show (heard at 7:15 p.m. Pacific time on KFI-AM in Los Angeles) the most provocative "dirty sex details" of the Kobe Bryant sexual assualt case so far.
Excerpt: "I've decided to reveal some of the dirty sex details of the case. I have been told it's anal sex. ... My sources have been telling me.
"That's why it's going to be controversial when it goes to trial. It's what is causing people a lot of uncomfortable feelings.
"Some of the details (of the case) are explosive. Dateline (NBC) had some of this information and decided not to air it. ... This speculation is quite solid from where I sit."
Drudge's revelation is nothing new to people frequenting message boards and newsgroups on the internet - but it does mark the first time someone has reported it (anal sex) via a mainstream media outlet.scoop

[ducks]

Prosecutor wins more money for Bryant case
Prosecutor wins more money for Bryant case
By JON SARCHE, Associated Press Writer
July 29, 2003

EAGLE, Colo. (AP) -- Prosecutors handling Kobe Bryant's sexual assault case won a request for additional money Tuesday, securing $105,000 from county commissioners and the possibility of more.

The aid could be increased again based on District Attorney Mark Hurlbert's needs, Eagle County commissioners said. Other counties in the judicial district could be asked to contribute to Hurlbert's $2 million budget, county finance director Mike Roeper said.

Roeper said it was the first time in his two-and-a-half years in office that a prosecutor has asked for additional funds.

ADVERTISEMENT
Dozens of reporters are expected here next week for Bryant's initial court appearance on a felony sexual assault charge. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar has said his 19-year-old accuser had sex with him willingly at a resort in nearby Edwards on June 30.

Hurlbert's office has deputy district attorneys, but so far he has been the lone prosecutor to address the case publicly. Ingrid Bakke, head of Boulder's sex assault and domestic violence unit, is on loan for up to a year to help in the high-profile case.

Bryant's defense team, attorneys Pamela Mackey and Hal Haddon, have won praise from legal experts for their courtroom and public-relations savvy.

The Colorado Judicial Branch this week is expected to launch a Web site page devoted to the case. The page will have information on hearing schedules, motions rulings and other details.

``I've had 150 calls a day. It's overwhelming,'' said Krista Flannigan, spokeswoman for the prosecutor. ``It seemed like it was going to save a lot of us time. Especially as court orders come out, they just don't have the staffing to make sure the media has everything.''

The door to Hurlbert's office, which had been open to the public, is now locked and posted with a sign saying the office is closed. A phone number is posted for visitors to leave messages.

A judge issued a detailed order Tuesday for reporters covering the Aug. 6 hearing, outlining procedures right down to parking availability.

Reporters will be barred from using cell phones and tape recorders and interviews inside the courthouse, photographing witnesses, potential jurors and Bryant's accuser and her family. Some of the parking will be reserved for people involved in the trial, District Judge Terry Ruckriegle said.scoop

[ducks]

County to launch Web site for Kobe case updates
EAGLE, Colo. -- Citing "intense public and media interest'' in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case, a judge issued a detailed order Tuesday for reporters covering next week's hearing.


Reporters will be barred from using cell phones and tape recorders inside the courthouse; photographing witnesses, potential jurors, and Bryant's accuser and her family; and parking on court grounds. Those spaces will be reserved for people involved in the trial, according to District Judge Terry Ruckriegle's order.


Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert has filed a felony charge of sexual assault against Bryant, a Los Angeles Lakers star accused of assaulting a 19-year-old Eagle woman June 30.


Bryant has said the sex was consensual. His initial court appearance is scheduled Aug. 6.


Hundreds of daily media calls have prompted officials to lock the district attorney's office to the public.


The Colorado Judicial Branch is launching a page this week devoted to the high-profile case on its Web site (www.courts.state.co.us). The page will have information on hearing schedules, motions rulings, biographies of judges and other details.


"I've had 150 calls a day. It's overwhelming,'' said Krista Flannigan, spokeswoman for the prosecutor. "It seemed like it was going to save a lot of us time. Especially as court orders come out, they just don't have the staffing to make sure the media has everything.''


The door to Hurlbert's office, which previously had been open to the public, is now locked and posted with a sign saying the office is closed. A phone number is posted for visitors to leave messages.


The office is beginning to receive aid from neighboring prosecution teams.


Ingrid Bakke, head of Boulder's sex assault and domestic violence unit, is on loan to the 5th Judicial District for up to a year to help in the high-profile case.


"She's a solid prosecutor not vulnerable to media influence,'' Boulder District Attorney Mary Keenan said Monday. "I have no doubt she can handle the pressure.''


Eagle County officials have talked with their counterparts in Denver and are receiving aid from Pitkin County. sports.espn.go.com/nba/story?id=1586942

[ducks]

Bryant's attorneys ask judge to reconsider courtroom cameras
EAGLE, Colo. (AP) _ Kobe Bryant's attorneys on Tuesday asked a judge to reconsider his ruling allowing news cameras in the courtroom where Bryant is expected to appear next week, saying theywere concerned about publicity.

Also Tuesday, Eagle County commissioners gave District Attorney Mark Hurlbert additional money to prosecute the sexual assault case against the Los Angeles Lakers star.

Bryant has said his 19-year-old accuser had sex with him willingly at a resort in nearby Edwards on June 30.

Bryant's attorneys, Pamela Mackey and Hal Haddon, said they were worried that publicity could affect Bryant's right to a fair trial. They said they weren't given the chance to present arguments before County Judge Fred Gannett issued his ruling on cameras last week.

They also asked for a hearing on how the media should be allowed to cover court proceedings and asked to present arguments on any future requests for expanded media coverage.

Haddon and Mackey didn't return calls seeking comment.

Meanwhile, attorneys for media organizations filed motions to open sealed court records, saying many details have already been publicized, some by Bryant and Hurlbert.

``Ironically, at the same time, both the district attorney and Bryant are opposing the very thing that would permit the public to independently test the veracity of their public relations statements, i.e., unsealing the court file,'' the attorneys wrote.

County commissioners gave Hurlbert an additional $105,000 to help handle costs of the case, and left open the possibility of more.

They approved an additional $45,000 to the sheriff's office for activities unrelated to the Bryant case.

County finance director Mike Roeper said Lake, Summit and Clear Creek counties, which make up the 5th Judicial District along with Eagle County, could be asked to contribute additional money to Hurlbert's budget, which was $2 million before the extra allocation.

Roeper said it was the first time in his 2{ years in office that a prosecutor has asked for additional funds.

Hurlbert also got some additional expertise: Ingrid Bakke, head of Boulder County's sex assault and domestic violence unit, is on loan for up to a year to help with the case.

``She's a solid prosecutor not vulnerable to media influence,'' Boulder District Attorney Mary Keenan told The Daily Camera of Boulder. ``I have no doubt she can handle the pressure.''

Eagle County officials are also talking with their counterparts in Denver and are receiving aid from nearby Pitkin County, the county seat for celebrity haven Aspen.

The case against Bryant has put Eagle in a media spotlight. Dozens of reporters are expected next week for Bryant's initial court appearance on a felony sexual assault charge.

Prosecutors and others have been forced to make changes to accommodate the media.

The Colorado Judicial Branch this week is expected to launch a Web site devoted to the case, its first such effort. The page will have information on hearing schedules, motions rulings and other details.

``I've had 150 calls a day. It's overwhelming,'' said Krista Flannigan, Hurlbert's spokeswoman. ``It seemed like it was going to save a lot of us time.''

The door to Hurlbert's office, which had been open to the public, is now locked and posted with a sign saying the office is closed. A phone number is posted for visitors to leave messages.

Gannett and state District Judge Terry Ruckriegle on Tuesday issued a detailed ``decorum'' order for reporters covering the Aug. 6 hearing.

Reporters will be barred from using cell phones and tape recorders and from interviewing people inside the courthouse. No photos or video may be taken of witnesses, potential jurors and Bryant's accuser and her family. Courthouse parking will be reserved for people involved in the trial.

The sheriff's office told reporters and camera crews that they cannot use the courthouse parking lot after noon on Wednesday and must remove their tents from the courthouse grounds. scoop

[ducks]

Wednesday, July 30
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Prosecution expected to pursue injuries, inconsistency
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ESPN.com news services
The case against Kobe Bryant will focus on injuries suffered by the alleged victim and the prosecution's belief that Bryant intentionally deceived law enforcement officials, sources familiar with the prosecution's case have told ESPN and ABC News.


Those sources claim that Bryant met his alleged victim when she gave him a tour of the Lodge & Spa at the Cordillera, during which he extended an invitation for the woman to come to his room later that evening, which she accepted.

The 19-year-old woman did come to Bryant's room the night of June 30, where she spent less than half an hour, according to the sources.

ABC News sources claim that the two engaged in some consensual sexual activity in Bryant's room, but that the intercourse that took place was not consensual. Those same sources say that the alleged victim sustained some physical injuries, which Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlburt and his staff plan to say prove that the sex was not consensual.

According to ESPN's sources, prosecutors also believe that Bryant intentionally deceived police officers and that his statements to them were inconsistent.

The Los Angeles Lakers guard is free on bond pending an Aug. 6 court hearing during which he will be formally advised of the charge against himscoop

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[ducks]

EAGLE, Colo. (AP) _ A judge rejected Kobe Bryant's request to skip next week's initial court appearance in his sexual assault case, his attorney said Thursday.

Hal Haddon said the request was filed Thursday morning and rejected a few hours later by Judge Fred Gannett. Haddon commented during a break in a hearing on a media organization request to see sealed court records in the high-profile case.

Chris Beall, representing several media organizations, argued the NBA superstar waived his right to privacy when he declared his innocence at a news conference hours after the sexual assault charge was filed.

Beall said the presumption of public access to court records is ``a hallmark of our judicial system.''

``Every day that goes by when the public doesn't have an opportunity to understand the evidence is a day lost under the Cons ution,'' he said in a courtroom filed with reporters.

``The defendant has asserted that the release of the arrest warrant and search warrant affidavit will harm his right to privacy,'' he said. ``However, the defendant has made admissions on international TV of a sexual relationship he says was consensual with the victim. That statement is a waiver of his right to privacy with respect to those facts.''

District Attorney Mark Hurlbert and defense lawyers have argued the records should be withheld because publicity could affect Bryant's right to a fair trial.

The judge said he would not rule before Bryant's court appearance Wednesday.

Bryant is charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman. The 24-year-old husband and father of one says he had sex with the hotel worker but denies he sexually assaulted her. He is free on $25,000 bond.

Much of the information about the allegation against the Los Angeles Lakers star has been sealed, such as the arrest affidavit and court records that could provide clues to the evidence.

Gannett has ordered a limit on public comment about the case by attorneys, authorities and others, including Bryant and any witnesses. He said the order was necessary to guarantee a fair trial.

Gannett also has warned organizations not to publish or broadcast the name or photograph of any witness, juror, potential juror or the alleged victim and her family on the courthouse grounds. Any organization violating the order could be denied a seat in the courtroom.

Hurlbert has said he had both physical and testimonial evidence to prove the case. He said Bryant forced the victim into ``submission'' through physical force but refused to disclose other details.