Defense Seeks Camera Ban

Kobe Bryant’s attorneys argued in a 19-page brief submitted Friday to keep cameras out of the courtroom next month when the basketball star goes to trial on a felony sexual assault charge.

“The trial of this case will involve detailed, graphic evidence about sexual conduct and human genitalia,” attorney Hal Haddon wrote. “Neither the defendant nor the complaining witness will retain a shred of dignity or privacy if these details are televised to the world.”

The brief was filed in response to a request by Court TV to televise the trial and another by Associated Press to conduct still photography.

Earlier, prosecutors had filed a motion asking Judge Terry Ruckriegle to deny the same requests.

Haddon said in his filing that he had spoken to John Clune, an attorney representing the alleged victim, and that the woman also opposes cameras in the courtroom.

“Expanded media coverage will exacerbate the hardship, anxiety and intimidation of both the accuser and accused,” Haddon said.

Bryant, 25, has pleaded not guilty to raping the 20-year-old woman at an Edwards, Colo., hotel June 30, 2003. He says they had consensual sex. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Aug. 27 in Eagle County Court in Colorado.

In an order filed under seal, Ruckriegle denied a defense motion to compel Matt Herr to provide a DNA sample. The defense believes that Herr, the former boyfriend of Bryant’s accuser, could be the source of sperm and semen found on vaginal swabs taken from the woman at an examination the day after the alleged rape.