Basketball star Kobe Bryant is notoffering a financial settlement to the 19-year-old woman who accused him of rape nor is he seeking a plea bargain withprosecutors, the Los Angeles Lakers' attorney said on Monday,denying a supermarket tabloid story.

Kobe Bryant

"The story that the National Enquirer ran about this alleged offer to settle the case is a complete fabrication,"attorney Pamela Mackey said by telephone from Colorado.

"Absolutely," she said when asked if her 25-year-old client plans to be vindicated at trial. No trial date has been set.

The attorney also said no discussions have taken place with Eagle County prosecutor Mark Hurlbert to end the criminal case with a plea bargain.

Media interest in the case has hit a frenzied pitch at times, and the judge has even issued an order blocking reporters from conducting interviews at the courthouse and restricting cameras.

An Iowa man has been charged by federal authorities with leaving a threatening message on the telephone of the woman who said Bryant raped her on the night of June 20 at the Lodge &Spa at Cordillera, a posh mountain resort where she worked as aconcierge.

Bryant has denied raping the woman and said the two hadconsensual sex. Bryant is scheduled to appear in court in EagleCounty on Oct. 9, for a preliminary hearing that will determineif he must stand trial.

On Friday defense attorneys asked Eagle County Judge FredGannett to bar cameras from the courtroom for the Oct. 9hearing.

At the preliminary hearing, the prosecutor may offerevidence that in the end may not be heard in trial, riskingBryant's right to a fair trial, the defense said.

On Friday, the judge granted media attorneys a partialvictory by agreeing to unseal a portion of the documents, buthe also stayed his decision for 10 days to allow attorneys toappeal. No documents have been released.

In one court filing, Bryant's attorneys said that news organizations wanted to "harass" anyone involved in the rapecase and that restrictions should be kept tight.  

Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+National economy faces a string of challenges ( 2003-08-26) +Delegations arrive for six-party talks ( 2003-08-26) +China condemns Japanese landing on Diaoyu islands ( 2003-08-26) +Official vows to defend nation's health ( 2003-08-26) +Indigent students struggling to fund higher education ( 2003-08-26)		+Defense Attorney: Bryant Not Seeking Plea Bargain ( 2003-08-26) +C.Ronaldo must do his talking only on the pitch - or else ( 2003-08-26) +Champion Olsson still admires 'ideal' Edwards ( 2003-08-26) +Clijsters opens US account with convincing win ( 2003-08-26) +Mike Tyson offers empathy for NBA star Kobe Bryant ( 2003-08-26)