Bryant jury pool sailing through questions
Officials hope to have panel in place on Friday
EAGLE, Colorado (CNN) -- Prosecutors and defense attorneys in the sexual assault trial of NBA star Kobe Bryant wrapped up the third day of jury selection Tuesday, having questioned 164 potential jurors behind closed doors.
Bryant has been present the last two days, when attorneys quizzed 82 prospective jurors each day. Jury selection began Friday with 300 people filling out questionnaires for the 14 spots needed.
On Wednesday, a group of 41 potential jurors will be questioned. Beginning Thursday, prospective jurors who are asked to come back will get more questioning in open court.
Court officials say they hope to have 12 jurors and two alternates selected by Friday afternoon and to begin opening statements September 7, the day after the Labor Day holiday.
In the midst of the questioning Tuesday, prosecutors indicated to Judge Terry Ruckriegle that a "lot of jurors have gleaned information not only from the press, but also other folks about town."
The comment came after prosecutors filed a motion to allow them to ask jurors where they have learned information about the case. Prosecutors said they are concerned about the number of potential jurors who have already either said they believe Bryant is probably not guilty or definitely not guilty.
Defense attorneys also acknowledged they are concerned about jurors who have already declared they think the basketball star is guilty.
Asked Monday how Bryant's accuser felt now that jury selection has begun, John Clune, the woman's attorney, told CNN, "She is scared."
Bryant, a 26-year-old Los Angeles Laker guard, could be sentenced to four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation if found guilty of the single count of sexual assault against him.
Bryant has admitted having a sexual encounter with his now 20-year-old accuser, then a desk clerk at the resort where he was staying. But Bryant, who is married, has said the encounter was consensual.
Ruckriegle has ruled that television cameras will be allowed to broadcast the closing arguments in the trial; still cameras will be allowed into the courtroom for closing arguments and opening statements.
Cameras will not be allowed for the rest of the trial.
Both sides are still waiting for a ruling on prosecution claims that DNA tests performed by the defense involved a contaminated control panel. The testing was done on swabs taken from Bryant's accuser during a rape exam. The defense argues the tests show the presence of semen from a man other than Bryant.
Ruckriegle did not rule on the matter, but ended up giving both sides until Tuesday to provide more evidence regarding the DNA testing and the methodology used by defense experts. He said he may consider at a later date a hearing to discuss the issue again.
CNN's Gary Tuchman contributed to this report.
