Prosecutors say they are treating Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant like any other person suspected of sexual assault.
But Eagle County sheriff's investigators didn't reveal his arrest until two days later, when he already was released on bail.
"There wasn't any urgency. We felt we were doing the right thing for everyone involved," Eagle County Sheriff Joe Hoy said. "We wanted to give people the time to themselves to adjust" because of the July 4 holiday.
An arrest warrant accuses the 24-year-old Bryant of attacking a woman at a resort in Eagle County on June 30. District Attorney Mark Hurlbert said it could be days before he decides whether to file charges. Defense attorney Pamela Mackey said Bryant "expects to be completely exonerated." She said the five-time All-Star had been in Colorado for knee surgery at Vail's Steadman Hawkins Clinic.
Hoy said investigators learned of the allegations on July 1 and spent nearly 30 hours on the case before contacting Bryant.
It is unclear when the arrest warrant was issued. Sheriff's spokeswoman Kim Andree said investigators told Bryant about the arrest warrant on Thursday. Bryant flew back to Colorado on Friday, surrendered to authorities and was released on US$25,000 bail. Hoy waited until Sunday to announce the arrest. Bryant's police mug shot isn't being released and the court documents have been sealed.
"That treatment would not be accorded the average citizen," Robert Pugsley, a criminal law professor at Los Angeles' Southwestern School of Law, said Monday.
"Other people would be handcuffed immediately, thrown into a squad car and taken downtown," he said.
Stoudamire pinched
Damon Stoudamire of the Portland Trail Blazers was arrested on marijuana charges after allegedly trying to pass through an airport metal detector with almost 42gm of the drug wrapped in aluminum foil.
The Portland guard was stopped at the Tucson airport Thursday as he prepared to board a flight to New Orleans, police said Monday.
The team immediately suspended Stoudamire and fined him US$250,000.
He was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors. Police said he was carrying almost 40gm of marijuana.
After Stoudamire set off the metal detector, he placed the drug and rolling papers into a plastic security bin, police said. Security officials then summoned police. He told officers that the drug was marijuana and that it was his.
Stoudamire was released on his own recognizance and is to appear in court July 25. He could face a sentence of up to US$2,500 in fines and probation on each charge.
Armstrong arrested
Darrell Armstrong of the Orlando Magic was arrested early Monday after being accused of fighting with a female police officer outside a nightclub.
Armstrong was booked into the Orange County jail on charges of battery on a law-enforcement officer and resisting arrest.
Armstrong tried to enter a full taxi outside a club and, upset over being denied a ride, he stood in traffic, Orlando police Sgt. Orlando Rolon said. When Officer Theresa Joyce tried to get Armstrong out of the street, he scuffled with her before being arrested, police said.
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
For some, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the essential spearhead for Portugal’s FIFA World Cup bid, while others believe his presence would prevent Roberto Martinez’s strong side from flourishing. The debate around the five-time Ballon d’Or winner rages on, as it did at UEFA Euro 2024 and four years ago in Qatar — yet Ronaldo endures, ready to play in a record sixth World Cup. The 41-year-old remains a global superstar despite swapping the European elite for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, and is the leading men’s international goalscorer with 143 strikes. With 25 of those coming in 30 games under Martinez, the coach
Taiwanese sprinter Chen Yi-cen on Friday won the silver medal in the women’s 400m final at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong, with a time of 53.16 seconds. Chen, 15, was the youngest among the eight finalists, and her performance also met the qualifying standard of 53.50 seconds for the Nagoya Asian Games in Japan in September and October. Chen first made her mark at the National Games in Tainan in 2023, at the age of 13, winning the women’s 400m final in 55.55 seconds to become the youngest gold medalist in the history of the event. Meanwhile,
RSS