Sheriff: Bryant accuser is 19

Colleen Slevin

Wednesday, July 9, 2003 | 10:21 a.m.

EAGLE, Colo. -- The 19-year-old Colorado woman who accused Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant of sexual assault will come home from a family vacation to what Eagle County Sheriff Joe Hoy described as "mind-boggling" media attention.

Hoy confirmed the woman's age Tuesday and said she was on vacation with her family, but is expected to return this week.

Hoy said he was concerned about the pressure on the woman and frustrated that there was more attention on Bryant than on her.

"To me, the sad part is if this hadn't been who it involved, this wouldn't even be a blip on anyone's radar screen," he said. "Personally, I think they're focusing on our suspect rather than on the victim."

He also said investigators have sent unspecified evidence to the state Bureau of Investigation for analysis, but refused to discuss other details of the case. A bureau official would only say the work has begun.

Bryant, 24 is accused of sexual assault, and prosecutors are expected to decide by the end of the week whether to charge him. Bryant's attorney, Pamela Mackey, says he is innocent and expects to be exonerated.

An arrest warrant claimed Bryant assaulted the woman June 30 at a hotel. Officials at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in nearby Edwards have confirmed Bryant stayed there June 30-July 2.

Bryant, a five-time NBA All-Star, surrendered to authorities Friday and was released after posting $25,000 bond. Mackey said her client was in Colorado for surgery at a Vail clinic.

The case was ordered sealed by Judge Russell Granger at the request of the sheriff. "I wanted to preserve the defendant's right to a fair trial," Granger said Tuesday.

Last month, Bryant signed an endorsement deal with Nike, but company spokeswoman Celeste Alleyne said she could not comment about Bryant's future.

"He's signed on with Nike and we are discussing the terms of his endorsement deal," Alleyne said.