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Attorneys in the civil case against Kobe Bryant are sparring over rules for witness interviews and whether the NBA star will be able to blame the emotional distress of his accuser on others.
The behind-the-scenes arguments come ahead of a hearing in Denver federal court on Feb. 2. It was unclear Tuesday whether Bryant or the woman accusing him of rape will be there. Neither is required to appear.
The woman's attorneys are fighting Bryant's assertions that media organizations, the state court system and people who threatened the woman share responsibility for the distress she says she has suffered since their encounter in a Colorado resort hotel 19 months ago.
Attorneys for the Los Angeles Lakers player, meanwhile, are fighting attempts by the woman's attorneys to ask him questions about his sex life, calling it a "highly invasive fishing expedition."
The woman's attorney, John Clune, said the accuser is eager for the trial to begin. Bryant's attorney, Pamela Mackey, did not return a call.
Attorneys for both sides have said in court filings they have discussed the possibility of settlement negotiations.
"It certainly would be a downside to having a settlement, not having the ability to tell what happened (testifying at trial)," Clune said. "At the same time, I think this has been such a tremendous ordeal that the concept of getting on with your life can be attractive."
The woman sued Bryant in federal court Aug. 10, seeking unspecified damages for pain, ridicule and scorn she said she has suffered because of the encounter and publicity surrounding the criminal case. Three weeks later, she asked prosecutors to drop a felony assault charge against Bryant, saying she no longer wanted to participate in the case.
Bryant has insisted he had consensual sex with the woman.
At least one question has been resolved. The woman's other attorney, L. Lin Wood, has dropped the idea of filing a parallel lawsuit in California state court, where there is no limit on damages. In Colorado, liability limits make it difficult for a plaintiff to collect more than $733,000.
Source: AP
The behind-the-scenes arguments come ahead of a hearing in Denver federal court on Feb. 2. It was unclear Tuesday whether Bryant or the woman accusing him of rape will be there. Neither is required to appear.
The woman's attorneys are fighting Bryant's assertions that media organizations, the state court system and people who threatened the woman share responsibility for the distress she says she has suffered since their encounter in a Colorado resort hotel 19 months ago.
Attorneys for the Los Angeles Lakers player, meanwhile, are fighting attempts by the woman's attorneys to ask him questions about his sex life, calling it a "highly invasive fishing expedition."
The woman's attorney, John Clune, said the accuser is eager for the trial to begin. Bryant's attorney, Pamela Mackey, did not return a call.
Attorneys for both sides have said in court filings they have discussed the possibility of settlement negotiations.
"It certainly would be a downside to having a settlement, not having the ability to tell what happened (testifying at trial)," Clune said. "At the same time, I think this has been such a tremendous ordeal that the concept of getting on with your life can be attractive."
The woman sued Bryant in federal court Aug. 10, seeking unspecified damages for pain, ridicule and scorn she said she has suffered because of the encounter and publicity surrounding the criminal case. Three weeks later, she asked prosecutors to drop a felony assault charge against Bryant, saying she no longer wanted to participate in the case.
Bryant has insisted he had consensual sex with the woman.
At least one question has been resolved. The woman's other attorney, L. Lin Wood, has dropped the idea of filing a parallel lawsuit in California state court, where there is no limit on damages. In Colorado, liability limits make it difficult for a plaintiff to collect more than $733,000.
Source: AP