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CNN Live Event/Special
Charges Against Kobe Bryant Expected Soon
Aired July 14, 2003 - 19:21 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Update on Kobe Bryant now. Colorado, word on Kobe Bryant's fate could come as early as tomorrow, as I said. Will he face charges for sexual assault? That is the question. The Eagle County district attorney has yet to say.
In Eagle tonight, Gary Tuchman is tracking the case, as well as the community's reactions -- Gary.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, hello to you.
Kobe Bryant was arrested on July 4. It's now July 14 and we're still waiting to see if he'll be officially charged.
Now it's a little confusing. Why has he been arrested but have no charges? Well, the way it works here in Colorado, police can arrest people based on suspicion of a crime but it is up to the district attorney to officially determine if he has probable cause that a crime occurred, and that's what the district attorney has to decide.
Now, we talked to the district attorney a short time ago. He told us he wants to announce a decision early this week. The business day is now over today here in Colorado. So it will likely be tomorrow, Tuesday, or possibly on Wednesday.
For the people closely involved in this case, it's a holding pattern right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In the small town of Eagle, Colorado, the home of the alleged sexual assault victim of Kobe Bryant, there is a general hope the district attorney quickly announces whether charges will be filed.
That D.A. is Mark Hurlbert.
MARK HURLBERT, EAGLE COUNTY D.A.: We're hopefully -- still at the beginning of the week is what we're looking at.
TUCHMAN (on camera): OK, is it possible it would be up to this week or do you think it will definitely be this week sometime?
HURLBERT: Well, it certainly is possible. I mean, a lot of this depends on some of the evidence we've been still gathering and if it takes a little longer to gather that evidence, then certainly it could take longer. But our goal is to do it this week.
TUCHMAN: And early this week you're saying?
HURLBERT: Yes.
TUCHMAN: Are you waiting for stuff to come back or evidence that you have here already that you're analyzing here?
HURLBERT: It's some of both.
TUCHMAN: Some here in Eagle, population 3,600, are uncomfortable because of the lack of information.
But many residents here know the alleged victim or at the least know someone who knows her. And are supportive of her.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a small town. And they'll take care of their own.
TUCHMAN: Eagle has a reputation of being a nurturing, friendly place. Even the local saloon welcomes families.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think that it's a very wonderful community in that it's got a lot of community spirit.
TUCHMAN: Diane Stalkmar (ph) owns an interior design store in town and moved to Eagle from Beverly Hills, California.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody would be behind the family and do what we could to help.
TUCHMAN: Indeed, the alleged victim enjoys much support from the people of Eagle, although there are some who want to hear more.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We need to know the facts before we make any decisions for ourselves, right?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TUCHMAN: Now, Kobe Bryant has said nothing since this incident happened except for one brief interview this weekend with the "Los Angeles Times." He said in part, quote, "I would never do something like that."
The district attorney is now trying to find out if he has the evidence to counter that. Anderson, back to you.
COOPER: All right. We will be watching tomorrow if any word, in fact, does break on the story. Thanks very much, Gary.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 14, 2003 - 19:21 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Update on Kobe Bryant now. Colorado, word on Kobe Bryant's fate could come as early as tomorrow, as I said. Will he face charges for sexual assault? That is the question. The Eagle County district attorney has yet to say.
In Eagle tonight, Gary Tuchman is tracking the case, as well as the community's reactions -- Gary.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, hello to you.
Kobe Bryant was arrested on July 4. It's now July 14 and we're still waiting to see if he'll be officially charged.
Now it's a little confusing. Why has he been arrested but have no charges? Well, the way it works here in Colorado, police can arrest people based on suspicion of a crime but it is up to the district attorney to officially determine if he has probable cause that a crime occurred, and that's what the district attorney has to decide.
Now, we talked to the district attorney a short time ago. He told us he wants to announce a decision early this week. The business day is now over today here in Colorado. So it will likely be tomorrow, Tuesday, or possibly on Wednesday.
For the people closely involved in this case, it's a holding pattern right now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In the small town of Eagle, Colorado, the home of the alleged sexual assault victim of Kobe Bryant, there is a general hope the district attorney quickly announces whether charges will be filed.
That D.A. is Mark Hurlbert.
MARK HURLBERT, EAGLE COUNTY D.A.: We're hopefully -- still at the beginning of the week is what we're looking at.
TUCHMAN (on camera): OK, is it possible it would be up to this week or do you think it will definitely be this week sometime?
HURLBERT: Well, it certainly is possible. I mean, a lot of this depends on some of the evidence we've been still gathering and if it takes a little longer to gather that evidence, then certainly it could take longer. But our goal is to do it this week.
TUCHMAN: And early this week you're saying?
HURLBERT: Yes.
TUCHMAN: Are you waiting for stuff to come back or evidence that you have here already that you're analyzing here?
HURLBERT: It's some of both.
TUCHMAN: Some here in Eagle, population 3,600, are uncomfortable because of the lack of information.
But many residents here know the alleged victim or at the least know someone who knows her. And are supportive of her.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a small town. And they'll take care of their own.
TUCHMAN: Eagle has a reputation of being a nurturing, friendly place. Even the local saloon welcomes families.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think that it's a very wonderful community in that it's got a lot of community spirit.
TUCHMAN: Diane Stalkmar (ph) owns an interior design store in town and moved to Eagle from Beverly Hills, California.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody would be behind the family and do what we could to help.
TUCHMAN: Indeed, the alleged victim enjoys much support from the people of Eagle, although there are some who want to hear more.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We need to know the facts before we make any decisions for ourselves, right?
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TUCHMAN: Now, Kobe Bryant has said nothing since this incident happened except for one brief interview this weekend with the "Los Angeles Times." He said in part, quote, "I would never do something like that."
The district attorney is now trying to find out if he has the evidence to counter that. Anderson, back to you.
COOPER: All right. We will be watching tomorrow if any word, in fact, does break on the story. Thanks very much, Gary.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
