Bryant, Wife and Lawyer Profess His Innocence in Statements

Statements from a news conference at Staples Center on Friday:

ATTORNEY PAMELA MACKEY

Kobe Bryant is innocent of the charges that were filed against him today. He has been falsely accused, falsely accused of an extremely serious crime, a crime which carries with it the potential of a life sentence. No prosecutor should file charges unless the evidence is so strong that it can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The evidence in this case falls far, far short of that standard. The accusations in this case cannot be proven because they are false. Kobe Bryant did not assault this person. Kobe Bryant will plead not guilty.... Because the fact is that what happened on June 30th in Eagle County was a sexual encounter between two consenting adults. We have no reason to believe otherwise. The physical evidence in this case clearly supports this belief. His actions since these accusations were made support that belief. He has cooperated fully with every demand, every request made by the sheriff’s office and the district attorney’s office. We do not intend to discuss the facts and the evidence because we do not intend to try this case in the press. We intend to try this case to a Colorado jury. And we are confident that a fair and impartial jury will find that Kobe Bryant is innocent....

The sheriff of Eagle County and certain of his deputies insist on making public and inappropriate statements, statements that are endangering our ability to select a fair and impartial jury. It must stop. If it doesn’t, we will ask the court to enter an order stopping these inappropriate comments. We will not try this case in the press. We will try it in a Colorado court and we are confident a Colorado court will find that Mr. Kobe Bryant is innocent.

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KOBE BRYANT

“I’m innocent. You know, I didn’t force her to do anything against her will. I’m innocent. You know, I sit here in front of you guys, furious at myself, disgusted at myself for making the mistake of adultery.

“And I love my wife with all my heart. She’s my backbone. You’re a blessing. You’re a piece of my heart, you’re the air I breathe. You’re the strongest person I know and I’m so sorry for having to put you through this, and having to put our family through this.

“And I’m a human being. I’m a man just like everybody else. I mourn, I cry, just like everybody else. And I sit here before you guys, embarrassed and ashamed for committing adultery. And you know if I could go through the feeling of -- if I could just turn back the hands of time -- and I love my wife so much. She’s so special to me. But I’m innocent. And together, my wife and I and my family, we’re going to fight these false accusations.

“We have a lot at stake, I have a lot at stake, and it has nothing to do with the game of basketball; it has nothing to do with endorsements. Nothing at all. This is about us. This is about our family. And I’ve been falsely accused of something and I’m innocent. Shoulder to shoulder we’re going to fight this all the way to the end.

“And I appreciate everybody out there for their support. And we’re going to need their support and prayers now more than ever. Thank you.”

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Text of statements released Friday on behalf of Kobe Bryant and Vanessa Bryant through attorneys Harold A. Haddon and Pamela Mackey, and Bryant’s agent, Rob Pelinka:

KOBE BRYANT

I am innocent of the charges filed today. I did not assault the woman who is accusing me. I made the mistake of adultery. I have to answer to my wife and my God for my actions that night and I pray that both will forgive me.

Nothing that happened June 30th was against the will of the woman who now falsely accuses me.

These false allegations have hurt my family. I will fight against these allegations with all my strength.

My wife is the strongest person I know. She is willing to stand by me despite my mistake. That means everything to me.

I have so much to live for. And by that I do not mean the contracts, or the money, or the fame. I mean my family. I will fight for them.

I appreciate all those who have supported me. Thank you for believing in me. My family and I are going to need your support and prayers now more than ever.

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VANESSA BRYANT

I know that my husband has made a mistake -- the mistake of adultery.

He and I will have to deal with that within our marriage, and we will do so. He is not a criminal. I know that he did not commit a crime, he did not assault anyone.

He is a loving and kind husband and father. I believe in his innocence.

Because I know him to be innocent, I will stand by him and we will face this together. I will give him all the strength and support he needs to face these false accusations. I will not let him face these accusations alone.

I know Kobe better than anyone. The great person you see on the court and in the public is a far greater person off the court.