LOS ANGELES: A Colorado prosecutor said on Monday he hopes to decide by the end of the week whether to file charges against Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who was accused of sexual assault by a local woman.

Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert, speaking to reporters after meeting sheriff's officials, said his office will make a decision after reviewing police reports.

"Sexual assault cases are extremely complex and sometimes it takes a while to get through everything," Hurlbert said.

Hurlbert also dismissed allegations by attorneys for Bryant that authorities in Eagle County, about 170 kilometres west of Denver, were "biased" against the 24-year-old NBA star.

Hurlbert stressed that Bryant will not get special treatment because of his fame but refused to discuss any details of the allegations, release key documents or even booking photographs of the five-time NBA all-star.

"In deciding whether to file charges, the same standards apply to Mr Bryant as apply in every other sexual assault case," Hurlbert said. "I will treat this case just like I treat any other sex assault case."

An unidentified woman who works at a four-star lodge near the resort town of Vail told police on Tuesday that Bryant had sexually assaulted her while in town for surgery on his knee.

Hurlbert described the woman only as an adult female and said: "I have talked to her and she seems to be doing OK, considering the circumstances."

Bryant returned to Colorado on Friday at the request of Sheriff's officials and was freed after posting US$25,000 bail.

Because sexual assault statutes in Colorado cover a wide range of offences and police have declined to reveal the nature of the allegations, it is not clear what charges Bryant may face.

'Complete bias' claimed

Bryant's attorneys released a statement saying that the Lakers guard will be "completely exonerated" and criticized the Eagle County Sheriff for taking him into custody. They said prosecutors have assured them that no arrest was imminent.

"Contrary to the direct instruction of the District Attorney's Office, the Eagle County Sheriff's office sought and obtained an arrest warrant for Mr Bryant," attorney Pamela Mackey said in a statement. "This action illustrates the complete bias of the Sheriff's office."

They added: "We are hopeful that the investigation will continue with unbiased investigators. We are confident that upon completion of an unbiased investigation Mr Bryant will be cleared of any criminal misconduct."

But Hurlbert said sheriff's officials had done "nothing improper" and said Bryant was arrested only after a judge had found probable cause.

Bryant paired with all-star centre Shaquille O'Neal to lead the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships between 2000 and 2002, becoming one of the nation's top sports icons.

Others arrested

Darrell Armstrong of the Orlando Magic was arrested after being accused of assaulting a female police officer, the Orlando Sentinel reported on its website on Monday.

The NBA guard was charged with battery on a law-enforcement officer and resisting arrest without violence in the incident, which allegedly took place outside a nightclub early on Monday morning.

Armstrong was released after posting a US$1,000 bond.

Officer Teresa Joyce and Armstrong briefly scuffled along with other officers before Armstrong was arrested, the newspaper alleged on its website.

Orlando police Sergeant Orlando Rolon claimed the altercation took place after Armstrong was denied a ride in a full taxi cab.

Joyce sprained her fingers while trying to restrain Armstrong, the website alleged.

Armstrong, a nine-year NBA veteran, is a free agent. He averaged 9.4 points and 3.9 assists in a reserve role with the team last season.

Meanwhile, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damon Stoudamire was arrested on possession of marijuana charges after allegedly trying to pass through an airport metal detector with the drug wrapped in aluminium foil, his team said on its website on Monday.

Stoudamire was stopped at the Tucson airport on Thursday as he prepared to board a flight to New Orleans.

He was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police claim he was carrying almost 40 grams of marijuana.

Stoudamire was released on his own recognizance and is to appear in court on July 25.

Agencies via Xinhua

(China Daily 07/09/2003 page8)