D.A. Office in Bryant Case Gets Threats

The office of the district attorney who plans to prosecute basketball star Kobe Bryant for felony sexual assault was locked down Friday afternoon after a series of telephoned death threats.

Dist. Atty. Mark Hurlbert was not in his office, but several members of his staff were. The FBI said it was investigating the calls.

“Everyone in the office got some [of the calls],” spokeswoman Krista Flannigan said. “The accumulation of the calls rose to a level today where those in the office felt it was necessary to lock the doors.”

Flannigan said Hurlbert has been receiving threats since July 18, when he announced his decision to file criminal charges against Bryant for an alleged attack on a 19-year-old Eagle woman on June 30.

“This is part of the controversy related to a high-profile case, but there was a high level of concern in the office,” Flannigan said. “Still, those who were working inside carried on about their business professionally.”

Flannigan confirmed FBI involvement, but declined to identify how many calls were received, from what area code the calls originated, or what was said. She said the FBI “will investigate whatever the FBI investigates.”

A spokeswoman at the Denver FBI headquarters declined to discuss the investigation.

Eagle County Sheriff Joseph Hoy, who oversaw Bryant’s July 4 arrest, said his office was not threatened. Bryant’s accuser also reportedly has received telephone and e-mail threats.

Also Friday, Eagle County judge Frederick Gannett scheduled a July 31 hearing on the attempt of news organizations, including The Times, to unseal legal documents in the Bryant case.

Additionally, the attorney for a Vail, Colo., newspaper seeking the release of two noncriminal police visits to the home of Bryant’s accuser within the last year said he expected a district judge to withhold his decision until Gannett makes his decision. The police responses are part of the sealed case.