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Thursday, October 9, 2003
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Kobe Bryant
It isn't the arena Kobe Bryant wanted to be in on Thursday, but the Lakers superstar was back in a Colorado courtroom for a mandatory preliminary hearing in the sexual assault case against him.
Ten pounds thinner, a very serious Bryant held his head high as he walked by hundreds of reporters and dozens of media tents outside of the Eagle County Courthouse. The embattled basketball star faces a very serious sexual assault charge, but instead of waiving today's hearing, Bryant's lawyers decided to go ahead with it by allowing the prosecution to lay out some of the graphic photos and details of what happened between Bryant and the alleged victim.
The media frenzy isn't only in Colorado; it is also in Hawaii where the Lakers pre-season training continues. But earlier this week Bryant finally faced the media about the pressures that could affect his play. He said, "We'll come here, we'll work together as a team, and we'll play the game. My family and I are living through this; everybody else is just going to watch."
Meanwhile, Bryant’s teammates are trying to protect him from the scrutiny and help him prepare for the toughest season of his career.
Lakers teammate Shaquille O’Neal says, "It's an unfortunate situation, this is a comfort zone for Kobe and we to make it a comfort zone for Kobe. We don't really talk about other stuff."
Rick Fox adds, "We want him to show up when he's ready and when he does show up, he’ll know that we're here for him without any judgment."
In an exclusive interview with "Extra," Lakers Executive Vice President Jeanie Buss went on the record about Bryant's case. She says, "I believe in Kobe when he says he's innocent. That's how I feel."
Bryant's next move will be back on the basketball court as the team gets ready for the season opener later this month. Bryant’s next court appearance will be a formal arraignment on sexual assault charges.
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