Eagle, CO (Betting Express) - A judge has agreed to unseal the arrest warrant for
Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, but also denied a media request to release detailed court documents in the sexual assault case.
Judge Frederick Gannett also gave attorneys for the prosecution and defense 10 days to appeal the decision.
Media attorneys have argued that Bryant waived his right to privacy when he declared his innocence at a news conference, but the district attorney and defense lawyers want the records to remain sealed, saying excess publicity could affect the chance of a fair trial and an impartial jury.
Gannett said the release of the arrest warrant will not subject Bryant to an unfair trial, but also said other documents that contain evidence, including the search warrant and its affidavit, as well as "factual statements describing graphic details of the alleged sexual encounter," will remain sealed.
"The court concludes that there is a substantial probability that the defendant's right to a fair trial would be prejudiced by disclosure of the affidavit and search warrant materials and that such prejudice could be prevented by non-disclosure," Gannett wrote.
Bryant, who is free on $25,000 bond, is being charged with one count of sexual assault, considered a Class 3 felony. The penalties range from four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation. He is due back in court on October 9 for a preliminary hearing.
The 24-year-old Bryant is accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman on June 30 at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in nearby Edwards. The Colorado woman, who worked at the hotel where Bryant checked in, filed a report with Eagle County authorities the following day and the five-time All-Star posted bond on July 4 after turning himself in.
The Lakers' star guard, who was in Colorado for surgery on his right knee at Vail's Steadman Hawkins Clinic, is married and has an infant daughter. He has admitted to making the mistake of adultery, but insisted the sex was consensual.
Bryant was the NBA's second-leading scorer last season, averaging a career- high 30 points to go along with 6.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists. He has won three world championships with the Lakers.
