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Bryant arrest warrant to be unsealed
From Gary Tuchman
EAGLE, Colorado (CNN) -- The judge in the Kobe Bryant case said Thursday he would release the warrant that ordered the arrest of the NBA star on charges of sexual assault. Affidavits and other documents containing details of what allegedly happened in Bryant's hotel room would be kept sealed as would the search warrant. The prosecution and defense had sought to keep all the material sealed and members of the news media sought its release. Both sides have 10 days to appeal the ruling before the documents are actually released. Eagle County Court Judge Frederick Gannett said before the ruling that even if he decided to unseal the documents, he would allow time for appeals on the ruling to be heard. Bryant, a 24-year-old all-star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, was charged with one count of sexual assault after a 19-year-old woman told police he assaulted her June 30 at a mountain lodge in Colorado where she worked and where Bryant was staying. In his 16-page ruling, Gannett said the July 4 arrest warrant contains "no information which would implicate defendant's fair trial rights." But Gannett said other more sensitive files such as the search warrant, which contains medical test information and statements about the alleged assault, would remain under seal "The court concludes there is substantial probability that defendant's right to a fair trial would be prejudiced by disclosure of the affidavits and search warrant materials, and that such prejudice could be prevented by non-disclosure," the judge said. The NBA star, who is married and has a 7-month-old daughter, has acknowledged he had sex with the woman, but he insists it was consensual and that he did not assault her. A preliminary hearing for Bryant is scheduled October 9 at which time the charge will be formally read and prosecutors must convince Gannett enough evidence exists to justify a trial of the basketball superstar. If convicted, Bryant could face a sentence of four years to life in prison. If sentenced to a term of probation, he would receive 20 years to life. He could also face a fine of up to $750,000.
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