The sexual assault charge against Kobe Bryant has been dropped, but his accuser -- whose reluctance to participate derailed the criminal trial before it ever really got started -- isn't letting the NBA star off the hook just yet.
With jury selection under way, the criminal case was dropped late Wednesday by prosecutors who said the 20-year-old woman accusing Bryant of rape had decided not to participate. She dropped out following a series of gaffes that led to the public disclosure of her name and other personal details, and prosecutors said they would not carry on without her testimony.
But the Los Angeles Lakers star still faces her federal civil lawsuit seeking unspecified damages. That case is still on, said Lin Wood, the woman's attorney.
"There has been no settlement of the civil lawsuit and there have been no discussions concerning a settlement," he said.
The 26-year-old Los Angeles Lakers guard issued a written apology that stopped short of taking responsibility for his actions.
"Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did," he said.
Bryant tearfully admitted more than a year ago he had consensual sex with the then-19-year-old employee of a Vail-area resort where he stayed last summer. If convicted, the married father of a little girl could have faced four years to life in prison, or 20 years to life on probation, as well as a fine up to US$750,000.
Instead, prosecutors dropped the case after spending at least US$200,000 preparing for trial. District Attorney Mark Hurlbert said he could have won the case, but he supported the woman's decision to withdraw, with a stipulation that charges will never be refiled.
"Today justice is sadly interrupted. The casualty in this interruption has been a brave young woman who was grievously hurt," Hurlbert said.
Victims' rights groups said the way the case disintegrated could force states to take another look at rape-shield laws, which typically bar the sex life of an alleged assault victim from being admitted as evidence.
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