Accuser Hires Libel Lawyer
The woman allegedly raped by Kobe Bryant has hired renowned attorney L. Lin Wood, a libel specialist who has represented such clients as the family of JonBenet Ramsey, former Rep. Gary Condit and Richard Jewell in lawsuits against the media.
In a statement from John Clune, who has represented the 20-year-old woman since shortly after charges were filed against Bryant last July, Wood “has been specifically retained to address growing concerns regarding media coverage of our client, her privacy rights and potential civil litigation related to those and other concerns.”
The addition of Wood to the woman’s legal team comes while the Colorado Supreme Court is deciding whether to overturn an order by Terry Ruckriegle, the judge presiding over the case, that prohibits seven news organizations from publishing transcripts of a closed hearing June 21-22.
A court reporter says she mistakenly sent the transcripts to the news organizations, which include The Times.
Also Thursday, Bryant filed motions under seal to compel 16 witnesses from out of state to testify at his trial, scheduled to begin Aug. 27 in Eagle County Court in Colorado.
-- Steve Henson
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