Defense: Gag Order Violated

The attorneys for Kobe Bryant on Tuesday filed a motion requesting a hearing to address apparent violations of a court order by law enforcement authorities.

Harold Haddon and Pamela Mackey wrote in the motion that Eagle County Sheriff Joseph Hoy, his investigators and other law enforcement officials might have violated the July 24 judicial order regarding pretrial publicity limitations in the high-profile case.

The evidence cited by the attorneys included two July 31 reports by ABC/ESPN and the Rocky Mountain News. The ABC/ESPN story said “sources familiar with the prosecution’s case” reported extensive details, discussing the physical trauma the woman suffered and claiming Bryant “intentionally deceived law enforcement officials.”

In a Saturday story by Fox News Channel, the reporter claimed, “I spoke to the sheriff ... The sheriff said to me, Sheriff Joe Hoy, ‘We have some dynamite stuff. This is not a he-said, she-said.’ He suggested there was someone else [who is a critical witness to the incident.]”

Haddon wrote in the motion: “The proper remedy for this apparent misconduct is to conduct a hearing where all law enforcement officers who are or have ‘participated in the investigation of this matter’ answer under oath regarding their statements to the media.... Any law enforcement officer found in violation of the order should be sanctioned for contempt.”

Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett did not answer the motion Tuesday.

Hoy doesn’t believe there are leaks from his office.

“I feel very certain we do not have anyone disseminating information,” he said.