Bryant: ‘It Will Be Fine’

In a calm voice, Laker star Kobe Bryant asserted his innocence Saturday, eight days after being arrested and booked on suspicion of felony sexual assault in Eagle County, Colo.

“When everything comes clean, it will all be fine, you’ll see,” Bryant said during a brief telephone interview.

Bryant declined to discuss the case, but said, “But you guys know me, I shouldn’t have to say anything. You know I would never do something like that.”

He sounded surprised at the rumors being spread about that night.

“Man, there’s a lot of crazy stories out there,” he said.

A 19-year-old woman who works at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in Edwards has accused Bryant, 24, of sexual assault on the night of June 30.

Under Colorado law, sexual assault encompasses a wide range of behavior, and what the accusations are is not clear because the woman’s account to authorities has been sealed. Eagle County Dist. Atty. Mark Hurlbert is reviewing evidence and is expected to decide this week whether to charge Bryant.

The alleged attack was reported to Eagle County law enforcement officials on July 1.

Bryant was escorted by authorities to Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs for DNA testing the next morning.

He flew home later that day but returned to Colorado on July 4 to turn himself in when Eagle County Sheriff Joseph Hoy obtained an arrest warrant from a district judge.

Bryant was released after posting a $25,000 bond.

Bryant’s attorneys previously have declared his innocence, but Saturday was the first time Bryant has spoken publicly about the allegations.