Bryant’s Pretrial Hearings to Address Wide Agenda

Kobe Bryant’s challenge of the Colorado rape-shield law is the most anticipated item on the agenda during hearings today and Tuesday, but several other issues must be resolved first.

The woman who accused the Laker star of rape is scheduled to testify in Eagle County Court, as is Bobby Pietrack, a bellhop at the mountain resort where Bryant and his 19-year-old accuser had an encounter June 30. Most of the rape-shield hearing will be conducted in closed court.

Bryant, 25, has acknowledged having sex with the woman, but he says it was consensual.

The first item on the agenda today is a motion by the defense to force prosecutors to hand over portions of two pairs of underwear worn by the woman the night of the encounter and the next day during her rape examination. Defense expert Dr. Elizabeth Johnson wants to conduct independent tests on the underwear, and prosecutors have refused to give the items to her.

Next will be the continuation of a hearing on whether statements Bryant made to investigators July 1 and physical evidence taken from him will be admissible. Bryant was not read his Miranda rights, but prosecutors say he consented to a 75-minute interview.

Also scheduled to be completed is a hearing that began last month on whether the woman had given up confidentiality of her medical history by telling others about it. Part of that hearing will be open, and part will be closed.

Before the rape-shield hearing begins, Judge Terry Ruckriegle will determine the parameters of the questioning of the alleged victim. Prosecutors have asked that the questions be strictly limited, anticipating that defense attorneys plan to pry into her sexual history.

The woman’s testimony is expected to be heard Tuesday. It will mark the first time Bryant and his accuser will be in court at the same time.

More pretrial hearings are scheduled for March 24 and March 25. A trial date has not been set.