Cameras Are Expected to Record Bryant’s Plea

In nine months of court appearances, Kobe Bryant has said two words to a judge.

At his arraignment scheduled in May, the Laker guard is expected to say two more: “Not guilty.” And the media don’t want anyone who is interested to miss it.

Media covering the case want to film and photograph Bryant’s plea to a felony sexual assault charge. An attorney representing a group of newspapers and television networks has made the request in writing to Judge Terry Ruckriegle.

In the filing, the media asked that Court TV provide the video camera and that Associated Press provide the still camera and photographer.

Ruckriegle is expected to allow the cameras. At Bryant’s court appearance Wednesday, the judge instructed a court administrator to prepare for cameras set up in the hallway to be moved into the courtroom.

“My assumption is that everyone has agreed it is OK,” said Chris Beall, an attorney representing the media.

Colorado law stipulates that cameras can be in a courtroom during three types of proceedings: first appearances, arraignments and trials. At Bryant’s first appearance in Eagle County Court on Aug. 6, he replied, “No, sir,” when Judge Frederick Gannett asked whether he objected to the date set for his preliminary hearing.

Bryant’s plea at the arraignment could be just as brief and will hold little suspense, legal experts said. His attorneys have already asserted in a court filing that he will plead not guilty.

Bryant, 25, is accused of raping a 19-year-old woman June 30 at a mountain resort. He has said they had consensual sex.

In another matter, Dist. Atty. Mark Hurlbert wants Ruckriegle to allow a rebuttal expert on the quality of the audiotape of statements Bryant made to investigators the day after the alleged rape. Bryant’s attorneys contend the tape might have been tampered with and that it is inaudible in places. Audiotape expert Richard Sanders has testified for several hours in closed court for the defense.

Hurlbert wants the option of calling his own expert, John Polito, after Polito reads a transcript of Sanders’ testimony. Polito is a Burbank-based composer and producer who is considered an expert in sound restoration. He has testified as an expert in other cases and has worked with the FBI on forensics cases.