Columnist Dean Juipe: Kobe should settle with his accuser

Dean Juipe

Friday, Aug. 1, 2003 | 10 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4084.

It's clear the incident involving Kobe Bryant has the potential for a lengthy shelf life. It may even be with us for as much as another year.

That surprised me right away because my first reaction when the sexual-assault allegation surfaced against him is that guilty or innocent he could pay the young lady and make it go away.

I've since asked a doctor and an attorney about this and their reactions were pretty much the same: If the girl truly feels she was harmed, she may not be interested in a monetary settlement.

She may see it as a matter of principle. And the fact that Bryant has millions of dollars may not lessen her resolve.

If, conversely, she is holding out for a better deal she runs two risks: Bryant could either rescind any offer that already may have been made -- although it's purely speculative that one has even been tendered -- or he could decide to go through the trial process in the belief that he will be vindicated and found innocent.

But if Bryant's attorneys haven't yet proposed a settlement to his accuser, they should. He doesn't need this type of daily attention. It has to be wearing on him and it's only going to get worse if the scenario stretches through the basketball season, as it appears it will.

He's obviously guilty of something, adultery if nothing else. But adultery -- which he admitted to in a televised confession with his wife, Vanessa, at his side -- isn't a crime.

At issue is whether the sex between Bryant and his accuser late on the night of June 30 in a hotel room in Eagle, Colo., was consensual. He says all of it was, while it has been reported that the woman said only some of it was consensual.

Both Bryant and the woman have credibility problems.

He initially lied about the incident, while bits and pieces of her background have surfaced that lead you to believe she's not particularly trustworthy or lucid. A friend referred to her as "emotionally fragile" while others say she had been distraught for a number of reasons, including her breakup with a boyfriend followed shortly thereafter on June 1 by the death of a friend in a car accident.

She was obviously drawn to Bryant by his celebrity. He's 24, rich, a basketball superstar with the Los Angeles Lakers and good looking to boot.

He makes $20 million a year in endorsement deals alone, although those may be jeopardized by this legal entanglement. He's due in court Wednesday to be arraigned.

A TV talk-show guest hypothesized that Bryant's marketability is apt to increase if he is cleared of the charge against him, although I'm doubtful if that could ever be the case. The fact that he cheated on his newlywed wife (and their 6-month-old daughter) will forever shade his reputation, if not brand him as a bully and a hypocrite.

Nike, Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Spalding pay Bryant to hawk their wares, but they'll be less willing to continue those relationships if he is found guilty of the charge against him.

He loses respect and a portion of his stature each day this saga goes on.

I'd like to see him settle with her and end the ordeal. If this drags on well into next year, rather than be additionally intrigued most of us will be sick of it.

The Lakers will, too.