Bryant Attends ESPYs as He Awaits D.A.’s Decision

Kobe Bryant attended the ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre with his wife, Vanessa, Wednesday night in his first public appearance since he was arrested in Colorado on July 4 after a 19-year-old woman accused him of sexual assault.

The Bryants entered the theater through a back route, away from the media and fans who flanked the red carpet leading into the main entrance, taking their seats after the award show started.

Hours earlier, the district attorney who will decide whether to file criminal charges against the Laker guard said that he would not make that decision until Friday at the earliest.

Mark Hurlbert said crime lab results, which include DNA tests of Bryant and his accuser, an Eagle, Colo., woman, continue to trickle in from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Hurlbert said he is reviewing the evidence results and statements from those interviewed about an incident that allegedly occurred the night of June 30 at the Lodge and Spa at Cordillera near Edwards, Colo.

Hurlbert has said he will provide a 24-hour notice before he announces whether he will file charges of felony sexual assault and imprisonment against Bryant, 24, a five-time NBA All-Star.

Bryant was arrested July 4 and released on bond. He has said he expects to be cleared.

Robert Cantwell, director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, said his office usually requires up to two weeks to process the evidence in a sexual assault case. The CBI received evidence from the Eagle County Sheriff’s Department on July 8.

Meanwhile, attorneys for a local newspaper are due in court today in Eagle to argue that the Eagle Police Department and the city of Vail should unseal police reports and dispatch records associated with the case.

Authorities have confirmed that police made two noncriminal visits to the home of the alleged victim during the last year, with both incidents involving the woman.

Town Manager William Powell said the incident reports have been forwarded to Hurlbert and the sheriff and are part of their sealed investigation.

ESPN’s live broadcast of the ESPYs showed Bryant applauding when new teammate Gary Payton opened his jacket and revealed a Laker jersey.

“That’s telling me that he’s very comfortable, he’s really free of what’s going on,” Payton said later.