Even Phil Jackson made a statement of support because he's coached him for a few years and always found him to be responsible, blah, blah, blah.

Of course, I'm guessing Phil and Kobe haven't flirted in a hotel lobby with each other or had some sort of "encounter" in a hotel room.

Your point is good: nobody knows what happened in that hotel room except the two people who were there. The prosecution believes it knows what happened. I hope that both Kobe and his accuser get a fair trial so that justice is appropriately served. He should be exonerated if there was no force; she should be vindicated [and then left the fuck alone] if there was.

But some people still don't believe Mike Tyson committed rape, so I'm not holding my breath on whether or not the court of public opinion will ever believe Kobe did it, if he's found guilty.

The DA in this case learned a lot from the mistakes made in the Jean Benet case. He was methodical and took his time. Although there was media interest, the DA never really called attention to himself by holding a press conference like the Ramsey case.

There is an awfully fine line between consensual and rape. The fact that she goes to the hotel and is even involved with heavy petting is not an invitation to sex if she says no at any point.

No longer are the days where the victim is the one on trial. If she has credible witnesses as to her character and there are but a few people who observed Kobe behaving "out of his normal character", he is toast because of his press conference where he admitted to the sex.

A good defense lawyer would have never allowed him to make public comments like that and try the case in the media. Colorado is "cracker" country and he won't get anywhere with the "woe is me" card.

Usually, where there is smoke, there is fire. In this case, it was in the loins of two people and unless there is indication that there was more than sex happening (e.g., serious bruises, other rooms hearing something, etc.), Kobe will get a fair trial and the only thing he loses after that is his reputation.

I love the pic you posted of Kobe and Wife. I recognize that look on her face...it is screaming "I am acting like I am supportive now, but you are going to pay for putting me through this you mother fucker".

Kobe is innocent until proven guilty of the rape accusations. I am disturbed by people speaking out saying he is not capable of raping anyone. Did anyone think OJ was capable of murder? Did anyone think Martha Stewart was capable of insider trading? Did anyone think millionaire NFL star Ray Caruth would hire someone to kill his pregnant girlfriend so he wouldn't have to pay child support? Did anyone think that Woody Allen would have sex with his teenage step-daughter and then eventually marry her? Many people would say the named celebrities would "never have done anything like that ", but truth is THEY ARE ALL GUILTY. I also find it sickening that society (and Kobe)just shrugs it's shoulders over the fact that he cheated on his wife, as if that doesn't matter. His bullshit press conference proclaiming his love was insane. Any PDA whether it is physical or verbal is pure bullshit. It is personal and should be between the couple, not for the whole world to have to watch. Besides, if he meant the things he said about his wife, then he would never have put his dick in another woman. Did he consider his wife his "backbone" and "the air that he breathes" when he was fucking (or allegedly raping) a young blonde in CO? No, he wasn't thinking about his wife, daughter or the consequences of his actions at all. He is a celebrity and society holds a different set of standards for them. sadly, all bad behavior is excusable some how. Adultery is a private and personal matter,and it is only the business of those who it effects directly. Kobe was only crying and acting remorseful because he GOT CAUGHT. Whether he is innocent or guilty of rape, he should not have held a press conference. If all he was guilty of was adultery, then he only had to expalin himself to the Wife--not the world.

I feel very badly for the alleged rape victim. For some media figures to reveal her name, pics and personal information is inexcusable. She may have been the victim of a violent crime, and she is being subjected to harrassment from strangers because they can contact her directly. Some media types have no shame and no morals. The media protected and RESPECTED the Central Park Jogger's privacy for many years until she was ready to speak out publicly, but Kobe's alleged victim is being crucified. It just goes to show you, that if you are going to be a victim of a violent crime, you better hope the attacker is not a celebrity or your life will be ruined in more ways then one.

Good points. I was going to say the same thing: if you get raped, make sure the guy isn't famous. Of course, it is just as irresponsible now to say that this Colorado girl did get raped. We've got people on all sides: Kobe did it; Kobe didn't do it; She's a victim; She's a liar. Till evidence is entered into court, we don't know.

I agree with you, Paul. That is why I made sure to refer to her as the "alleged". I don't want to be irresponsible in my statements. Kobe is innocent of rape until proven guilty in a court of law.

Unfortunately, this whole situation is lose-lose for all parties. Innocent or Guilty, Kobe's life and career will be effected. His wife will NEVER trust him (he admitted to having sexual relations), and has him by the balls and wallet for life. That could possibly be worse punishment then imprisonment. And we will have to be tortured by the Kobe & Wife, Barbara Walters interview in the future.

The CO woman, will be accused of ruining Kobe's career and life regardless of his innocence or guilt. Sadly, all of these ignorant, celebrity loving tools will always blame her for what happened. (Remember all of the idiots that said that OJ's wife was asking for it by dating a younger man? The people that said Desiree Washington (Mike Tyson's victim) was asking for it?). She is a private citizen, not a public celebrity, and her life will never be the same. If she wanted to be a celebrity, I am sure that this is NOT how she wanted to achieve it.

I hope that both parties get a fair trial. Kobe has gone public with this (the press conference was a BAD PR move), so the media have open season on him. The CO woman has NOT gone public and would like to remain in seclusion, so I think that should be repsected.

To add to this circus..now Kobe's in-laws are being exposed by the media for the Wife's father's infidelity. When is this going to end?

Of course this is purely a rumor, but on Don & Mike today they were talking about a report that the woman was at a party 3 days after the alleged event, bragging and telling everyone how endowed Kobe was. They were saying that no woman who was raped would have been reacting like this.

See-- that is a perfect example of what is wrong with todays media. All of the rumors, speculation and character assasination is just disgusting.

This unreliable and distrutive media are a boil on the ass of modern journalism. Don and Mike are jerk offs with little following, so they will do anything to bring themselves attention whether it is positve or negative, and worst of all at someone else's expense. The woman (Kobe's accuser) went to police and the hospital within hours of the alleged attack. This is factual. So do you really think a woman who is accusing someone of rape is partying and bragging about the size of the alleged attackers dick? I think not. Do you really think that the police and her family would let her leave the home alone, OR WOULD SHE EVEN WANT TO AFTER ALLEGEDLY BEING ATTACKED? I think not. E, pull your head out of your ass.

Have we lost our ability to feel compassion for anyone?!?!?!?! Or do we all think that we are so god damn perfect that we can judge others?!?!
Is Kobe capable of rape? Yes.
Is the accuser capable of lying? Yes.
Are either of their lives ever going to be the same after this? NO.

There are so many innocent lives ruined by this ordeal. I feel sorry for all parties involved.

At this time it could go either way. What we do know is that this case has been and will continue to be watched closely by America. It will turn into another reality tv show in essence but with bigger stakes.

The DA has the evidence he needs to proceed with the case. I agree that they are being careful with this evidence/information because this cant turn into a clusterfuck like some of the other highly publicised cases over the last few years.

Personally, I think he did it... and am preparing to trade in my "O.J. Did It" shirt for a "Kobe Did It" shirt any day now. Any bets on how long it takes for those shirts to hit the printers?

Apparently Paul is in the business of censoring now. Oh well. I guess it's too much to present valid points in opposition of an attack on myself.

PAUL'S RESPONSE: Do not call one of my visitors an "ignorant fuck" or a "fucking moron." I don't want people like you around here. Get lost.

I guess it is safe to assume that "E"'s attempted attack was for me, since I posted in response to his post.

For the record, I was just addressing the fact that certain media types are irresponsible in their statements and actions, and I find that repulsive and unethical. Then we have people who believe this stuff and spread it as if it is factual. In no way was this a personal attack on E.

I guess my belief in the american judicial system (remember we are innocent until proven guilty), and my educated and mature statements make me a "fucking moron" in E's eyes. Though if you really read what I have written throughout this topic, one thing I am clearly not is ignorant, so therefore I am not "an ignorant fuck".

BTW, Paul should edit those who don't even have the balls to post their name, e-mail or URL. What are you hiding from?

Not hiding from anything. Don't have a URL, and I would rather focus my email use on legitimate purposes rather than posting it for anyone to utilize. And how can you even say that you weren't attacking me?? You said something to the extent of pulling my head out of my ass. And like I previously posted, I was only throwing out something that had been said that might explain another option in this whole mess and it was not my opinion at all. I was upset simply because you took a short blurb I had written and made it sound like I had invented the rumor and intended to spread it and even that I put a lot of thought into all of this. I simply gave an option of what numerous reports had said, which might give another version of what happened. I don't care what happened, and I was only getting involved in this discussion to point out that there is another possibility about what happened and that it was discussed at length in the media, however repulsive you find said personalities. Sorry if I was harsh earlier, but you turned a small post of mine into something where I apparently have no compassion, and I spread rumors, and that she wouldn't brag about Kobe if she had been raped, when I was simply saying that a certain report speculated that it was consensual and that she wasn't acting in this manner shortly after the alleged incident. That is all, nothing to get too upset over, sorry for over-reacting.

Sorry Paul, I guess I just thought Cass could stand up for himself/herself. And there was a hell of a lot more than just the dumbass insults that I posted (yes, I know I was wrong in that way). I was responding to what was a complete misunderstanding, because my post was taken completely out of context and not understood in the first place. My purpose was clear, but taken as if I was expressing an opinion when I in fact never took any position but rather just stated something that had been reported. That is all, and I'm sorry to anyone I offended, and the posts were much longer and contained more content than just my stupid insults.

My post have nothing to do with E-- they have to do with the subject matter which is Kobe and his problems, and the lack of responsible reporting on the matter.

Journalist have a responsibility to report the facts, and some journalists choose not to by reporting rumors, fabrications and speculation (for example the Don and Mike Show). Then others (for example E) take this info and circulate it.

Nothing more in my statements other than that have anything to do with E. Obviously, E misunderstood me by thinking that I directed all of that thought and the words in my post to him. Only one line was directed at him, the rest was about the subject matter. Sorry, but I never put that much thought or energy into any person that posts. With that said, let's be adults and post responsibly and not attack each other.

Honestly, I have had enough of Kobe. The $4 million ring he bought the Wife was the last straw as far as I am concerned. He keeps making a public mockery of her. Not only does he put his dick in another woman, and then announces it to the world. Then he adds insult to injury and buys the Wife an outrageous monetary gift, now letting the world know that she can be bought. How insulting. I would rather have a man that can keep his dick to himself regardless of his wealth. Besides, Kobe is going to need that $4 million to pay his lawyers, his victim and then in alimony.

I am going out for a brew at CU in Philly, now. I don't even want to hear Kobe's name...

I wish all this boiled down to right and wrong in the courtroom. It won't, and probably never will.
The bottom line will be how much justice can Kobe afford, and seeing how he's willing to shell out 4 mil for a ring, he's gonna be just fine.

I just had one thing to point out to this website's host. You affirm that you believe in the legal system, yet you deride people who are voicing their support for Kobe? The principle foundation of the American criminal legal system is the maxim "innocent until proven guilty," right? I mean, everyone's heard this, even if it's not always true in practice.

If this case were to go on tomorrow, and neither side presented ANY evidence, is he guilty or innocent? The answer's not "I don't know." Presumption of innocence is just that, whether you have personal observations or not. Why wouldn't people support Bryant prior to the trial? As of today, he IS innocent. Whether or not he will be PROVEN guilty is a different question.

I am tried of women trying to get back at men because they somehow want more than a man is willing to give them. I believe she wanted Kobe to provide favors for her(like american idol contact) or some other unreasonable items. Think about this seriously is you were raped would you tell a hotel worker or call police immediately!!!!!!!!! You be the judge

Kobe friends camed to his defense with a news ariticle in Newsweekly saying that she got upset becames Kobe wanted to us a condom and she didn't, so she started yelling for him to stop and he did, so I believe she was trying to get pragant by Kobe Bryant so that she wouldn't have to ever work for the rest of her life. When her plan failed the whore called rape and got Kobe arrested. The Sheriff in Eagle, Colorado is a racist piece of shit. I believe you Kobe and when you're found innocent in the court of law, go sue her white ass. You have two smart attorneys working for you. By the way, smart move hiring yourself a white female defense attorney. That will stick it to them. Kate you BITCH,WHORE,SLUT!!! Go back to your mental hosiptal.

Hey to whom ever that read this about Kobe Bryant in this column or this site know this!Kobe Bryant is innocent until proven guilty! Until the jury convicts him he should be considered innocent;but contrary to popular opinion some people believe he's guilty already!Did he or didn't he, if you wasn't there you'll never ever know!How ever this handsome rich guy have to rape a local hostess whom happened to be white, please!! Why would he have to rape her??? He wouldn't FOOLS!!!

i agree that every person suspected of a crime should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. but the fact is, the media divulges information about a person suspected of a crime and we judge it all prior to ever hearing the whole story. our opinions are formulated based on our own limited perspectives and backgrounds, emotions, and feelings about what we hear long before we know the whole truth. and then we judge a person like martha stewart or kobe who stands up before the world and proclaims innocence to the things they are being charged with. Kobe was NEVER charged with being an adulterer. that is consequential to the fact. he was charged with a violent sexual act on a person who doesnt have enough courage to face him in the same media they are using to crucify him. Kobe made an emotional mistake triggered by an emotional stimuli. Now he is utilizing his logic. No one knows when Kobe told Vanessa that he had this problem. Would he have even told her had he not been accused of a crime? It seems to me that when he had the press conference, he was not begging Vanessa to stay with him, she had already agreed to do that. It seemed to me that those statements were an acknowledgment of appreciation for the fact that his balls were in her hands and she chose to caress them rather than squeeze them. Kobe wants the world to see him the way his wife does. that is the purpose of the press conference.
Besides Who knows what Kobe has forgiven Vanessa for if anything, or what kind of things we are not aware of that are driving Kobe and Vanessa inside their relationship. I believe Vanessa when she says that she knows Kobe better than we do. she is not another tammie wynette, to be pitied or praised. she is a woman that has had to do something that the world in general needs to do which is grow in forgiveness. Under adverse circumstances, who knows what any of us will do. Have any of you judges done something that you never thought you'd do, or don't want anyone to know. Have you ever been caught up in something you couldn't keep control of that you needed some type of embarassment to break like alcohol, drugs, or gambling. We are all human and we all need help addressing our vices, so be careful of the measure for which you judge a thing because by that same measure you will be judged.