1 00:00:10,093 --> 00:00:14,514 It's always chaos when a team wins a championship. 2 00:00:14,639 --> 00:00:16,348 Pandemonium on the court. 3 00:00:16,349 --> 00:00:18,809 The locker room celebration with champagne 4 00:00:18,810 --> 00:00:21,353 flying all over the place. 5 00:00:21,354 --> 00:00:23,857 It's as close to combat photography 6 00:00:23,982 --> 00:00:27,736 as we sports photographers get, I think. 7 00:00:27,861 --> 00:00:32,574 My job is to, A, find the star player and find the trophy. 8 00:00:32,699 --> 00:00:39,039 But the 2001 championship, I couldn't find either of them. 9 00:00:39,164 --> 00:00:41,373 We just scoured the locker room area. 10 00:00:41,374 --> 00:00:46,880 We ended up back in the shower, and there he was. 11 00:00:47,005 --> 00:00:50,884 He was just lost in himself. 12 00:00:51,009 --> 00:00:52,468 I love my mother. 13 00:00:52,469 --> 00:00:54,136 Father too. 14 00:00:54,137 --> 00:00:55,722 And I love him with all my heart. 15 00:00:59,309 --> 00:01:02,227 Like here he is where he grew up after winning an NBA 16 00:01:02,228 --> 00:01:06,023 championship against Philadelphia, his hometown. 17 00:01:06,024 --> 00:01:09,277 Lower Merion has won. 18 00:01:09,402 --> 00:01:11,695 I told him, your family's going to love you no matter 19 00:01:11,696 --> 00:01:15,116 whether you score 40 or score 0. 20 00:01:15,241 --> 00:01:17,619 A great poignant moment. 21 00:01:17,744 --> 00:01:19,536 Father, Jellybean Joe Bryant. 22 00:01:19,537 --> 00:01:21,580 Son, Kobe. 23 00:01:21,581 --> 00:01:22,499 Embracing. 24 00:01:25,919 --> 00:01:27,253 We still going to love you. 25 00:01:30,632 --> 00:01:35,428 You cannot have a starker contrast than Kobe and his 26 00:01:35,553 --> 00:01:41,016 father in 2000 and Kobe in the locker room stall by himself 27 00:01:41,017 --> 00:01:43,144 in 2001. 28 00:01:43,269 --> 00:01:45,939 They had a shared dream. 29 00:01:46,064 --> 00:01:48,942 This was the moment that they had been planning forever 30 00:01:49,067 --> 00:01:51,777 for their baby son. 31 00:01:51,778 --> 00:01:54,280 He's the guy that I idolized. 32 00:01:58,243 --> 00:02:01,287 And his father's not there to share it with him. 33 00:02:01,412 --> 00:02:05,291 Their relationship would never be the same again. 34 00:02:08,586 --> 00:02:17,303 But he just wouldn't stop until he got what he wanted. 35 00:02:17,428 --> 00:02:20,306 He used that determination to win. 36 00:02:22,851 --> 00:02:25,520 How about those Lakers? 37 00:02:25,645 --> 00:02:26,688 Three peat, baby. 38 00:02:26,813 --> 00:02:27,856 Three peat. 39 00:02:27,981 --> 00:02:29,149 Bang. 40 00:02:29,274 --> 00:02:33,862 Lakers win their 14th NBA championship. 41 00:02:33,987 --> 00:02:36,990 Who you rocking with? 42 00:02:37,115 --> 00:02:38,199 Like a champ. Three-time champ. 43 00:02:39,492 --> 00:02:40,368 You now rocking with the best 44 00:02:40,493 --> 00:02:41,827 Yes, better than the rest 45 00:02:41,828 --> 00:02:42,704 All I do is win 46 00:02:42,829 --> 00:02:43,954 So I tend to say less 47 00:02:43,955 --> 00:02:45,206 Except when I come through the flesh 48 00:02:45,331 --> 00:02:46,666 You now rocking with the best 49 00:02:46,791 --> 00:02:48,001 2002 season. 50 00:02:48,126 --> 00:02:49,585 The Lakers are a juggernaut. 51 00:02:49,586 --> 00:02:52,421 They sweep the series to win a third consecutive championship. 52 00:02:52,422 --> 00:02:53,839 So they were three-peat. 53 00:02:53,840 --> 00:02:55,675 Three-peat. 54 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:56,718 And what's more left? 55 00:02:56,843 --> 00:02:57,719 Another one? 56 00:02:57,844 --> 00:02:59,011 Absolutely. 57 00:02:59,012 --> 00:03:00,596 That's the only thing that we care about, is winning. 58 00:03:00,597 --> 00:03:03,683 Winning means everything to Kobe Bryant. 59 00:03:03,808 --> 00:03:05,434 There wasn't anything else. 60 00:03:05,435 --> 00:03:08,103 He didn't want to be one of the all time greats. 61 00:03:08,104 --> 00:03:09,606 He wanted to be the best. 62 00:03:11,983 --> 00:03:16,863 I think it confirmed to him that he could now live among some 63 00:03:16,988 --> 00:03:18,031 of the greats. 64 00:03:18,156 --> 00:03:19,990 What up, what up, what up, what up? 65 00:03:19,991 --> 00:03:23,869 We told y'all I was going to go back to back to back. 66 00:03:23,870 --> 00:03:25,914 We told y'all. 67 00:03:26,039 --> 00:03:28,874 LA loves Kobe, man. 68 00:03:28,875 --> 00:03:30,543 Kobe, Kobe, Kobe. 69 00:03:34,297 --> 00:03:37,049 It was this magical moment. 70 00:03:37,050 --> 00:03:38,218 Hey Kobe. 71 00:03:38,343 --> 00:03:41,596 Now you have a different level of fame. 72 00:03:41,721 --> 00:03:43,431 You win the championship, everything 73 00:03:43,556 --> 00:03:45,600 seems to fall into place. 74 00:03:45,725 --> 00:03:48,728 Kobe was still building this future that he'd always wanted 75 00:03:48,853 --> 00:03:51,272 for himself. 76 00:03:51,397 --> 00:03:55,400 I think he saw this reality coming into focus. 77 00:03:55,401 --> 00:03:58,320 I want to continue to play in the NBA and keep winning, 78 00:03:58,321 --> 00:04:00,573 and I want to have my young family beside me. 79 00:04:05,745 --> 00:04:07,413 I remember when the baby was born, 80 00:04:07,538 --> 00:04:09,916 I was so excited, like oh, my God, you're a dad. 81 00:04:10,041 --> 00:04:11,084 And to a girl. 82 00:04:11,209 --> 00:04:12,709 To a girl. 83 00:04:12,710 --> 00:04:15,255 Like oh, my God. 84 00:04:15,380 --> 00:04:16,589 Oh, my God. 85 00:04:18,883 --> 00:04:24,264 It was just beautiful to see how excited he was 86 00:04:24,389 --> 00:04:26,223 and how proud he was. 87 00:04:26,224 --> 00:04:28,977 It was so much love there. 88 00:04:29,102 --> 00:04:35,316 He was like her name is Natalia Diamante, like diamond 89 00:04:35,441 --> 00:04:36,818 or something like. 90 00:04:36,943 --> 00:04:38,987 And I remember going, she's got such a beautiful name. 91 00:04:39,112 --> 00:04:42,824 He's like, well, you know that I'm like European. 92 00:04:42,949 --> 00:04:46,995 For me, it sort of completed him as a person. 93 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:50,498 Here was this incredibly driven, obsessed individual 94 00:04:50,623 --> 00:04:53,083 that I had met at 18 years old, who's 95 00:04:53,084 --> 00:04:54,669 now a husband and a father. 96 00:04:54,794 --> 00:04:57,587 And I think he had realized that there was more to life 97 00:04:57,588 --> 00:05:01,717 than just basketball 24 hours a day. 98 00:05:01,718 --> 00:05:06,139 It's definitely given me a new perspective. 99 00:05:06,264 --> 00:05:08,474 The pains that I had before, that I actually 100 00:05:08,599 --> 00:05:12,437 have a little girl, they tend to change a little bit. 101 00:05:17,275 --> 00:05:18,818 It was a beautiful thing, man. 102 00:05:18,943 --> 00:05:21,654 Just having those conversations as newly fathers. 103 00:05:21,779 --> 00:05:24,072 Hey, man, what are you going to do with your daughter? 104 00:05:24,073 --> 00:05:25,491 You're going to teach her basketball? 105 00:05:25,616 --> 00:05:28,828 Well, I'm not letting my daughter date this certain guy. 106 00:05:28,953 --> 00:05:33,123 Like we had some crazy conversations, man. 107 00:05:33,124 --> 00:05:36,836 Some that we can't even tell on camera. 108 00:05:36,961 --> 00:05:40,130 Our next guest is a young man who went from teenage sensation 109 00:05:40,131 --> 00:05:42,175 to world champion to family man. 110 00:05:42,300 --> 00:05:43,551 So your perspective changes? 111 00:05:43,676 --> 00:05:45,302 Working hard, playing basketball, man. 112 00:05:45,303 --> 00:05:46,511 You have to-- you come home. 113 00:05:46,512 --> 00:05:47,847 You have to be super husband. 114 00:05:47,972 --> 00:05:48,972 I hear you. 115 00:05:48,973 --> 00:05:51,684 I think he put a lot into the brand of Kobe. 116 00:05:51,809 --> 00:05:56,521 His image was one of teen idol, sweet kid that you want 117 00:05:56,522 --> 00:05:57,690 your daughter to date. 118 00:05:57,815 --> 00:05:59,901 Coming into the league at an early age, 119 00:06:00,026 --> 00:06:01,693 you get a chance to see what's good for you 120 00:06:01,694 --> 00:06:03,195 and what's not good for you, man. 121 00:06:03,196 --> 00:06:04,739 Going to clubs and doing all this stuff, 122 00:06:04,864 --> 00:06:06,199 that's not the important thing, man. 123 00:06:06,324 --> 00:06:07,699 The important thing is finding a woman 124 00:06:07,700 --> 00:06:09,159 that you can spend the rest of your life with, man. 125 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:10,369 Setting up a family. 126 00:06:10,370 --> 00:06:12,037 That makes me happy, man. 127 00:06:12,038 --> 00:06:15,290 But there was a period where a lot of the people that had been 128 00:06:15,291 --> 00:06:16,709 around were no longer around. 129 00:06:16,834 --> 00:06:19,336 Some of the people that were foundation of Kobe 130 00:06:19,337 --> 00:06:22,381 early on in his career, his dad in particular. 131 00:06:22,382 --> 00:06:23,632 They kept him safe. 132 00:06:23,633 --> 00:06:25,551 They kept him away from some of the things 133 00:06:25,676 --> 00:06:27,636 that you don't want to happen. 134 00:06:27,637 --> 00:06:29,471 How do professional athletes like yourself 135 00:06:29,472 --> 00:06:32,349 cope with the family situation on the road a lot. 136 00:06:32,350 --> 00:06:33,350 A lot of temptations. 137 00:06:33,351 --> 00:06:35,061 How do you deal with that? 138 00:06:35,186 --> 00:06:36,062 As far as temptations? 139 00:06:36,187 --> 00:06:37,979 They don't bother me one bit. 140 00:06:37,980 --> 00:06:39,941 But I love my wife so much. 141 00:06:40,066 --> 00:06:41,442 I respect her so much. 142 00:06:41,567 --> 00:06:43,611 And that's something that I would never consider doing. 143 00:06:43,736 --> 00:06:45,404 I think people really thought, OK, this 144 00:06:45,405 --> 00:06:48,907 is a guy who's going home to his wife and his kid, 145 00:06:48,908 --> 00:06:50,075 and everything is OK. 146 00:06:50,076 --> 00:06:53,413 I've read tons of research about you, Kobe. 147 00:06:53,538 --> 00:06:56,624 And in all this research, you are squeaky clean. 148 00:06:56,749 --> 00:06:58,250 I'm a pretty smart guy. 149 00:06:58,251 --> 00:07:00,877 I can-- I have a spider sense. 150 00:07:00,878 --> 00:07:05,006 I can sniff out trouble before it gets around. 151 00:07:05,007 --> 00:07:07,843 One of the NBA's brightest stars with a squeaky clean image 152 00:07:07,844 --> 00:07:10,929 to boot may soon face a challenge tougher than anything 153 00:07:10,930 --> 00:07:12,722 he's ever seen on the court. 154 00:07:12,723 --> 00:07:16,602 When you come into life and have a high bar dream, 155 00:07:16,727 --> 00:07:21,440 you actually match that dream. 156 00:07:21,441 --> 00:07:25,778 That's a rarity, and rarity, and rarity of life. 157 00:07:25,903 --> 00:07:28,114 Kobe happened to be one of those people. 158 00:07:28,239 --> 00:07:32,285 Charges were filed against Kobe Bean Bryant of Newport 159 00:07:32,410 --> 00:07:35,370 Beach, California. 160 00:07:35,371 --> 00:07:37,165 And he's the one who fucked it up. 161 00:07:47,842 --> 00:07:51,846 The town of Eagle is really small. 162 00:07:51,971 --> 00:07:55,475 A farming and ranching community. 163 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:59,187 Pretty much a sleepy Little Colorado town. 164 00:07:59,312 --> 00:08:04,649 Cute and small and ill-prepared for what was about to happen 165 00:08:04,650 --> 00:08:05,651 to them. 166 00:08:07,862 --> 00:08:09,404 Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. 167 00:08:09,405 --> 00:08:10,989 I'm Mark Hurlbert. 168 00:08:10,990 --> 00:08:13,325 I'm the district attorney for the Fifth Judicial District. 169 00:08:13,326 --> 00:08:17,954 On July 1st of 2003, I got a call from the Sheriff's Office. 170 00:08:17,955 --> 00:08:21,625 And he said, Mark, we have a case where Kobe Bryant is 171 00:08:21,626 --> 00:08:23,669 accused of sexually assaulting a woman. 172 00:08:23,794 --> 00:08:26,671 Kobe Bryant was arrested on July 4th-- 173 00:08:26,672 --> 00:08:29,175 in connection with the alleged assault of a 19-year-old 174 00:08:29,300 --> 00:08:30,258 hotel employee-- 175 00:08:30,259 --> 00:08:31,635 in Eagle County, Colorado. 176 00:08:31,636 --> 00:08:34,095 The media descended almost immediately. 177 00:08:34,096 --> 00:08:37,683 Kobe Bryant did cooperate with the investigation and did turn 178 00:08:37,808 --> 00:08:39,809 himself in on July 4th. 179 00:08:39,810 --> 00:08:41,937 It set off alarm bells in the newsroom. 180 00:08:41,938 --> 00:08:42,688 Kobe's been what? 181 00:08:42,813 --> 00:08:44,356 Shock went through my mind. 182 00:08:44,357 --> 00:08:45,525 Like for real? 183 00:08:45,650 --> 00:08:47,860 Kobe Bryant is one of my son's heroes. 184 00:08:47,985 --> 00:08:50,195 I mean, he does have an impeccable reputation. 185 00:08:50,196 --> 00:08:53,074 And the DA has to think about that in making the decision 186 00:08:53,199 --> 00:08:56,369 to charge and prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt. 187 00:08:56,494 --> 00:08:57,912 This is not Kobe. 188 00:08:58,037 --> 00:09:00,038 There's no way Kobe would find himself in this position. 189 00:09:00,039 --> 00:09:01,039 He just had a kid. 190 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:02,332 Things are going well. 191 00:09:02,333 --> 00:09:04,167 This is a marriage he desperately wanted. 192 00:09:04,168 --> 00:09:07,255 He wouldn't throw any of that away for this situation. 193 00:09:07,380 --> 00:09:13,385 The defendant was charged with one count of sexual assault, 194 00:09:13,386 --> 00:09:16,179 a class 3 felony. 195 00:09:16,180 --> 00:09:18,933 At this time, I had been a lawyer for eight years. 196 00:09:19,058 --> 00:09:22,561 I tried some homicide cases and sexual assault cases but nothing 197 00:09:22,562 --> 00:09:23,895 of this magnitude. 198 00:09:23,896 --> 00:09:25,689 If you think about the DA from his perspective, 199 00:09:25,690 --> 00:09:27,816 he doesn't want to lose the biggest case to come his way. 200 00:09:27,817 --> 00:09:29,901 If anything, I think the DA might make sure he has a rock 201 00:09:29,902 --> 00:09:32,654 solid case more than he might require another case because he 202 00:09:32,655 --> 00:09:34,531 knows everyone will be watching this case. 203 00:09:34,532 --> 00:09:36,409 We're treating this case like any other case, 204 00:09:36,534 --> 00:09:38,034 I understand, as I'm saying that, 205 00:09:38,035 --> 00:09:40,579 as I'm looking at about 20 cameras here. 206 00:09:40,580 --> 00:09:43,164 But truly, when you're evaluating whether to file 207 00:09:43,165 --> 00:09:46,752 charges or not, that doesn't come into play. 208 00:09:46,877 --> 00:09:50,256 The media attention from day one, 209 00:09:50,381 --> 00:09:51,881 that was part of the problem. 210 00:09:51,882 --> 00:09:55,010 that rested on some sort of sexual charge. 211 00:09:55,011 --> 00:09:57,805 The types of people who would just stalk and follow some 212 00:09:57,930 --> 00:10:00,141 of the NBA players, that is a reality. 213 00:10:00,266 --> 00:10:04,312 There are studies showing that up to 40% of rape allegations 214 00:10:04,437 --> 00:10:05,770 are false. 215 00:10:05,771 --> 00:10:07,815 People like Wendy keep pushing these 2% number-- 216 00:10:07,940 --> 00:10:09,275 Give me the citation, Roy. 217 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:10,734 You're making a-- 218 00:10:10,735 --> 00:10:13,445 Rape has a very high incidence of false allegation. 219 00:10:13,446 --> 00:10:14,822 Give us the citation. 220 00:10:14,947 --> 00:10:16,949 They start speculating that we don't have a case. 221 00:10:33,382 --> 00:10:37,636 I can't comment on what will happen with him and the Lakers. 222 00:10:37,637 --> 00:10:38,720 My job is this. 223 00:10:38,721 --> 00:10:40,221 But ultimately, the only question 224 00:10:40,222 --> 00:10:42,683 was, did I feel he did it? 225 00:10:42,808 --> 00:10:46,145 And did I feel we could prove our case? 226 00:10:46,270 --> 00:10:48,063 I feel that after reviewing the evidence, 227 00:10:48,064 --> 00:10:51,317 after looking at the evidence, that I can prove this case 228 00:10:51,442 --> 00:10:53,486 beyond a reasonable doubt. 229 00:10:53,611 --> 00:10:57,155 I think the average person has no idea whatsoever what actually 230 00:10:57,156 --> 00:10:58,991 took place, and they still don't. 231 00:11:05,039 --> 00:11:08,709 The evening of June 30th 2003. 232 00:11:08,834 --> 00:11:10,836 Our victim is 19 at the time. 233 00:11:13,422 --> 00:11:16,174 She was employed by the Cordillera Resort and Spa 234 00:11:16,175 --> 00:11:20,554 as a front desk person, kind of an upscale resort in Eagle 235 00:11:20,680 --> 00:11:21,847 County, Colorado. 236 00:11:21,972 --> 00:11:26,810 And they get a call that somebody is coming, 237 00:11:26,811 --> 00:11:29,689 and they were a VIP guest. 238 00:11:29,814 --> 00:11:31,857 Eventually, it was disclosed that the reservation was 239 00:11:31,982 --> 00:11:36,570 for Kobe Bryant, who had scheduled a minor knee surgery. 240 00:11:36,696 --> 00:11:39,073 A good friend of hers was also working. 241 00:11:39,198 --> 00:11:41,616 I gave her some courtier stationery with a black marker. 242 00:11:41,617 --> 00:11:45,120 And I said, hey, if you can, get some autographs for us, right? 243 00:11:45,121 --> 00:11:46,204 Who wouldn't? 244 00:11:46,205 --> 00:11:47,288 So she does her job. 245 00:11:47,289 --> 00:11:50,251 She greets Kobe Bryant, shows him to his room. 246 00:11:50,376 --> 00:11:54,212 He kind of pulled her aside and asked her if she would give him 247 00:11:54,213 --> 00:11:56,715 a tour. 248 00:11:56,716 --> 00:11:59,801 And then after that, they went back to the room. 249 00:11:59,802 --> 00:12:02,555 They are sitting and talking. 250 00:12:02,680 --> 00:12:04,390 She was going to leave. 251 00:12:04,515 --> 00:12:07,559 And he asks her for a hug. 252 00:12:07,560 --> 00:12:09,729 And she agrees to give him a hug. 253 00:12:09,854 --> 00:12:13,733 He kisses her, and she's OK with that. 254 00:12:13,858 --> 00:12:16,277 But after the consensual kiss-- 255 00:12:16,402 --> 00:12:20,740 he tries to go further, and she objects. 256 00:12:20,865 --> 00:12:25,411 Then he grabs her, puts his hand around her neck, 257 00:12:25,536 --> 00:12:28,705 turns her around. 258 00:12:28,706 --> 00:12:31,751 And she says then, he sexually assaults her. 259 00:12:35,045 --> 00:12:39,592 She's able to gather herself, and she left. 260 00:12:39,717 --> 00:12:41,635 One of the strongest pieces of evidence-- 261 00:12:41,761 --> 00:12:43,804 as I looked at my watch at 11 o'clock, 262 00:12:43,929 --> 00:12:45,597 she comes down the stairs. 263 00:12:45,598 --> 00:12:47,265 What's the outcry? 264 00:12:47,266 --> 00:12:48,349 She grabs my arm. 265 00:12:48,350 --> 00:12:50,602 And I kind of flinch back. 266 00:12:50,603 --> 00:12:52,480 Tears started to pour down her face. 267 00:12:52,605 --> 00:12:57,692 And that happened within 10 minutes of the assault. 268 00:12:57,693 --> 00:13:01,113 It was looking into the eyes of someone that was not there. 269 00:13:01,238 --> 00:13:02,072 That was scary. 270 00:13:05,659 --> 00:13:07,953 I said, we need to call the police. 271 00:13:08,078 --> 00:13:11,999 She told me that no one's going to believe me. 272 00:13:17,046 --> 00:13:20,174 The next morning, she makes the police report. 273 00:13:20,299 --> 00:13:23,010 And then that sets off the interview with Kobe. 274 00:13:23,135 --> 00:13:24,303 I'll be blunt and ask you. 275 00:13:24,428 --> 00:13:25,846 Did you have sexual intercourse with her? 276 00:13:25,971 --> 00:13:29,183 And he was asked if he had sexual intercourse 277 00:13:29,308 --> 00:13:30,099 with this woman. 278 00:13:30,100 --> 00:13:30,810 No. 279 00:13:30,935 --> 00:13:32,311 His first answer was no. 280 00:13:32,436 --> 00:13:34,980 But they indicate that they have physical evidence. 281 00:13:35,105 --> 00:13:37,982 If my wife-- if my wife found out that anybody 282 00:13:37,983 --> 00:13:39,776 made any type of allegations against me, 283 00:13:39,777 --> 00:13:41,529 she would be infuriated. 284 00:13:41,654 --> 00:13:42,487 Kobe-- 285 00:13:42,488 --> 00:13:43,531 That's all I care about. 286 00:13:43,656 --> 00:13:44,657 And I understand. 287 00:13:44,782 --> 00:13:45,949 What she says, I don't care about. 288 00:13:45,950 --> 00:13:47,535 And I could just hear this fast talking 289 00:13:47,660 --> 00:13:50,371 and like this is somebody just grasping for air. 290 00:13:50,496 --> 00:13:52,413 And he's petrified. 291 00:13:52,414 --> 00:13:53,748 Just be straight up. 292 00:13:53,749 --> 00:13:55,042 We're not going to tell your wife like that. 293 00:13:55,167 --> 00:13:56,417 Did you have sexual intercourse with her? 294 00:13:56,418 --> 00:14:00,755 This is what I need to know, because I did have 295 00:14:00,756 --> 00:14:02,131 sexual intercourse with her. 296 00:14:02,132 --> 00:14:04,176 You're sitting there thinking, what have you gotten 297 00:14:04,301 --> 00:14:05,260 yourself into? 298 00:14:05,261 --> 00:14:07,011 What have you gotten yourself into, Kobe? 299 00:14:07,012 --> 00:14:10,014 Because I'm thinking of this 17-year-old kid I met who is 300 00:14:10,015 --> 00:14:11,808 just sort of a fish out of water. 301 00:14:11,809 --> 00:14:13,852 And now you're in this kind of trouble. 302 00:14:13,853 --> 00:14:16,646 How did this-- how did this happen? 303 00:14:16,647 --> 00:14:19,692 Often with people that have had these traumatic experiences, 304 00:14:19,817 --> 00:14:21,860 details don't come right up front. 305 00:14:21,861 --> 00:14:24,405 But she had the details right up front. 306 00:14:24,530 --> 00:14:29,410 Juxtapose that with what he told law enforcement, which really 307 00:14:29,535 --> 00:14:34,039 kind of backs up what the victim is saying. 308 00:14:34,164 --> 00:14:35,583 Detective Doug Winters. 309 00:14:35,708 --> 00:14:39,544 When you say he was grabbing your butt and chest, was he-- 310 00:14:39,545 --> 00:14:41,213 so he was actually doing that? 311 00:14:41,338 --> 00:14:42,590 Woman. 312 00:14:42,715 --> 00:14:45,426 When he took off his pants, that's when I started to back up 313 00:14:45,551 --> 00:14:47,719 and to try to push his hands off of me. 314 00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:50,346 And that's when he started to choke me. 315 00:14:50,347 --> 00:14:51,265 Detective Loya. 316 00:14:51,390 --> 00:14:53,391 So what did you have around her neck? 317 00:14:53,392 --> 00:14:54,727 Mr. Bryant. 318 00:14:54,852 --> 00:14:58,146 I had my right hand like this and my other hand like that. 319 00:14:58,147 --> 00:14:59,397 Woman. 320 00:14:59,398 --> 00:15:00,982 He wasn't choking me enough that I couldn't breathe, 321 00:15:00,983 --> 00:15:03,902 just choking me to the point that I was scared. 322 00:15:03,903 --> 00:15:05,237 Detective Doug Winters. 323 00:15:05,362 --> 00:15:07,322 Are you telling him anything at this point now? 324 00:15:07,323 --> 00:15:08,406 Woman. 325 00:15:08,407 --> 00:15:09,742 At this point, I was just kind of scared, 326 00:15:09,867 --> 00:15:11,410 and I said no a few times. 327 00:15:11,535 --> 00:15:12,578 Detective Doug Winters. 328 00:15:12,703 --> 00:15:14,246 How loud did you say no? 329 00:15:14,371 --> 00:15:15,204 Woman. 330 00:15:15,205 --> 00:15:17,750 About as loud as I'm saying it now. 331 00:15:17,875 --> 00:15:18,833 Detective Doug winters. 332 00:15:18,834 --> 00:15:19,709 Did he hear you? 333 00:15:19,710 --> 00:15:20,543 Woman. 334 00:15:20,544 --> 00:15:22,086 Yes, he did. 335 00:15:22,087 --> 00:15:23,504 Detective Doug Winters. 336 00:15:23,505 --> 00:15:24,672 How did he heard you? 337 00:15:24,673 --> 00:15:26,258 Woman. 338 00:15:26,383 --> 00:15:28,718 Because every time I said no, he tightened his hold around me. 339 00:15:28,719 --> 00:15:32,096 Detective Loya asked, how hard we're you holding her? 340 00:15:32,097 --> 00:15:33,974 Mr. Bryant says I don't know. 341 00:15:34,099 --> 00:15:36,477 My hands are strong, I don't know. 342 00:15:36,602 --> 00:15:37,894 Woman. 343 00:15:37,895 --> 00:15:39,104 And then he would lean his face real close to me 344 00:15:39,229 --> 00:15:40,481 and ask me questions. 345 00:15:40,606 --> 00:15:41,606 Detective Doug Winters. 346 00:15:41,607 --> 00:15:43,108 What would he ask you? 347 00:15:43,233 --> 00:15:45,319 You're not going to tell anybody, right? 348 00:15:56,121 --> 00:15:57,121 I don't know what those conversations were 349 00:15:57,122 --> 00:15:59,667 like with Vanessa. 350 00:15:59,792 --> 00:16:04,754 But I think in the back of his mind, he was thinking about, 351 00:16:04,755 --> 00:16:06,799 what have I done to my wife? 352 00:16:06,924 --> 00:16:10,301 What have I done to my family? 353 00:16:10,302 --> 00:16:14,263 She's like grasping and clutching his hand for 354 00:16:14,264 --> 00:16:17,266 dear life. 355 00:16:17,267 --> 00:16:19,979 No matter what you believed about the case, 356 00:16:20,104 --> 00:16:21,438 it was painful to watch. 357 00:16:25,192 --> 00:16:28,736 Kobe Bryant is innocent of the charges that 358 00:16:28,737 --> 00:16:30,446 were filed against him today. 359 00:16:30,447 --> 00:16:34,118 He had a really good attorney, and that was Pam Mackey. 360 00:16:36,412 --> 00:16:41,041 I am sure that they were very clear as to what he should say. 361 00:16:54,763 --> 00:16:57,891 I'm innocent. 362 00:16:58,017 --> 00:16:59,393 You know? 363 00:16:59,518 --> 00:17:06,358 I didn't force her to do anything against her will. 364 00:17:08,944 --> 00:17:10,070 I'm innocent. 365 00:17:13,073 --> 00:17:23,250 You know-- And I sit here in front of you guys, 366 00:17:29,256 --> 00:17:30,507 furious at myself. 367 00:17:35,804 --> 00:17:44,313 Disgusted at myself for making a mistake of adultery. 368 00:17:53,322 --> 00:17:55,074 I love my wife with all my heart. 369 00:18:00,788 --> 00:18:01,580 She's my backbone. 370 00:18:06,168 --> 00:18:07,252 You're a blessing. 371 00:18:14,927 --> 00:18:16,052 You're the beat in my heart. 372 00:18:16,053 --> 00:18:17,387 You're the air I breathe. 373 00:18:20,015 --> 00:18:24,770 When I saw that, I wasn't getting the I 374 00:18:24,895 --> 00:18:26,229 didn't do anything wrong. 375 00:18:26,230 --> 00:18:29,398 If I could just turn back the hands of time. 376 00:18:29,399 --> 00:18:34,028 I got the I am so scared, and I'm saying this because I have 377 00:18:34,029 --> 00:18:35,155 to say this. 378 00:18:38,575 --> 00:18:40,952 Here he is in the middle of his career. 379 00:18:40,953 --> 00:18:42,454 He had a wife. 380 00:18:42,579 --> 00:18:45,958 He had a baby daughter who was just about five months old. 381 00:18:46,083 --> 00:18:49,336 If he was convicted, he would go to prison for a minimum of four 382 00:18:49,461 --> 00:18:52,755 years for an indeterminate period of time. 383 00:18:52,756 --> 00:18:54,675 The stakes were enormous. 384 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:57,678 Were you surprised when he admitted to adultery with 385 00:18:57,803 --> 00:18:58,846 a 19-year-old girl? 386 00:18:58,971 --> 00:19:00,347 Yes. 387 00:19:00,472 --> 00:19:02,640 This was not within the character of the man who we have 388 00:19:02,641 --> 00:19:03,975 come to know. 389 00:19:03,976 --> 00:19:06,144 And making a mistake about committing adultery 390 00:19:06,145 --> 00:19:09,814 is far, far different than being accused of rape. 391 00:19:09,815 --> 00:19:12,775 In the court of public opinion, athletes are sometimes 392 00:19:12,776 --> 00:19:16,530 seen as unwitting victims of calculating women. 393 00:19:16,655 --> 00:19:19,907 The tragedy, Chris, is that celebrities are at the mercy 394 00:19:19,908 --> 00:19:21,409 of things like this. 395 00:19:21,410 --> 00:19:22,660 We just think that if we can come and talk to you guys 396 00:19:22,661 --> 00:19:24,162 and have a good time and this and that. 397 00:19:24,163 --> 00:19:26,080 But all of a sudden, just the littlest, just 398 00:19:26,081 --> 00:19:27,790 the littlest things, just the littlest things 399 00:19:27,791 --> 00:19:30,502 can tick anything off, and this is what's going on. 400 00:19:30,627 --> 00:19:33,337 He's a happily married man, and I'm sure he's happy. 401 00:19:33,338 --> 00:19:34,964 He talks about his wife all the time. 402 00:19:34,965 --> 00:19:36,508 So-- 403 00:19:36,633 --> 00:19:39,011 I'm going to stand by him and say that it's 100% not true. 404 00:19:39,136 --> 00:19:40,595 The support was crazy. 405 00:19:40,596 --> 00:19:43,182 And you look at the response that the people had towards him. 406 00:19:43,307 --> 00:19:44,849 They loved him even more. 407 00:19:44,850 --> 00:19:47,476 Kobe, Kobe, Kobe. 408 00:19:47,477 --> 00:19:52,024 The flip side to that is she's just a hotel worker. 409 00:19:52,149 --> 00:19:53,692 Come on, it can't be true. 410 00:19:53,817 --> 00:19:57,237 And even if it is true, she's just a hotel worker. 411 00:19:57,362 --> 00:19:58,780 He's still Kobe Bryant. 412 00:20:03,952 --> 00:20:07,247 The Teen Choice Awards was shortly after he was charged. 413 00:20:07,372 --> 00:20:08,749 And the winner is-- 414 00:20:08,874 --> 00:20:12,586 Paula Abdul had a lot of enthusiasm given the charges. 415 00:20:12,711 --> 00:20:15,338 Well, as a former Laker girl, I am thrilled to announce 416 00:20:15,339 --> 00:20:17,173 your Choice for Male Athlete. 417 00:20:17,174 --> 00:20:20,093 Kobe Bryant. 418 00:20:20,219 --> 00:20:22,678 Today, we're post 419 00:20:22,679 --> 00:20:26,891 I can't imagine so soon after a sexual assault allegation 420 00:20:26,892 --> 00:20:31,979 that anyone would be honoring anybody for anything. 421 00:20:31,980 --> 00:20:36,360 It's an honor to be your Choice Male Athlete of the Year. 422 00:20:40,739 --> 00:20:45,326 That audience-- I mean, they are in love with him. 423 00:20:45,327 --> 00:20:46,994 They are like, this is our hero. 424 00:20:46,995 --> 00:20:48,996 It's as though nothing has happened. 425 00:20:48,997 --> 00:20:50,164 Thanks for your support. 426 00:20:50,165 --> 00:20:51,249 Thanks for your prayers. 427 00:20:51,250 --> 00:20:52,918 Thank you. 428 00:20:53,043 --> 00:20:56,129 People are emotionally attached to athletes. 429 00:20:56,255 --> 00:20:59,257 There's a bond that is there. 430 00:20:59,258 --> 00:21:01,175 You know that person. 431 00:21:01,176 --> 00:21:03,094 That person comes into your house, 432 00:21:03,095 --> 00:21:05,096 like he's a part of your family. 433 00:21:05,097 --> 00:21:07,808 You see them over weeks, and weeks, 434 00:21:07,933 --> 00:21:10,101 and weeks on a regular basis. 435 00:21:10,102 --> 00:21:11,645 Kobe. Kobe. 436 00:21:11,770 --> 00:21:13,771 If you looked at his wife and wondered how could she stand 437 00:21:13,772 --> 00:21:15,731 by him like that, well, you're not alone. 438 00:21:15,732 --> 00:21:19,235 Reports say that Bryant gave his wife a $4 million, 439 00:21:19,236 --> 00:21:21,488 eight-carat, purple diamond ring. 440 00:21:21,613 --> 00:21:23,948 You better get your damn hands off me before I break it 441 00:21:23,949 --> 00:21:25,241 like a chopstick. 442 00:21:25,242 --> 00:21:26,994 It was widely parodied. 443 00:21:27,119 --> 00:21:28,829 And I got you another one of these. 444 00:21:28,954 --> 00:21:29,663 Let's go. 445 00:21:29,788 --> 00:21:31,498 Put it on. 446 00:21:31,623 --> 00:21:33,249 It was obvious why he gave her the ring. 447 00:21:33,250 --> 00:21:34,793 But timing, it wasn't a coincidence. 448 00:21:34,918 --> 00:21:39,172 A flawless $10 million diamond the size of a walnut will go 449 00:21:39,298 --> 00:21:40,674 on auction at Sotheby's. 450 00:21:40,799 --> 00:21:43,135 And just in time because Kobe Bryant's wife 451 00:21:43,260 --> 00:21:44,719 has a birthday coming up. 452 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:47,848 People latched onto it because the only thing people love more 453 00:21:47,973 --> 00:21:51,059 than building up heroes is tearing them down. 454 00:21:55,731 --> 00:21:58,899 Perhaps she's standing by her man because she loves him. 455 00:21:58,900 --> 00:22:01,987 He's the father of her child, and she's hoping that this was 456 00:22:02,112 --> 00:22:04,739 just an indiscretion. 457 00:22:04,740 --> 00:22:07,491 We were outgunned, and we knew that. 458 00:22:07,492 --> 00:22:10,996 At the time, a $4 million ring was double our annual budget 459 00:22:11,121 --> 00:22:14,123 of about $2 million, which funded everything, not just 460 00:22:14,124 --> 00:22:15,834 one case. 461 00:22:15,959 --> 00:22:18,837 There were a lot of power dynamics involved. 462 00:22:18,962 --> 00:22:21,172 Bryant's been staying at his Newport Beach, California 463 00:22:21,173 --> 00:22:23,717 mansion while the young woman at the center of the storm 464 00:22:23,842 --> 00:22:25,968 in Eagle, Colorado will be gone for two weeks 465 00:22:25,969 --> 00:22:28,722 before returning briefly to pack for college. 466 00:22:28,847 --> 00:22:31,015 This woman, who has no experience with the media 467 00:22:31,016 --> 00:22:34,061 whatsoever, is about to face a full court press of the best 468 00:22:34,186 --> 00:22:37,397 PR people, the best lawyers who will uncover anything she has 469 00:22:37,522 --> 00:22:40,067 ever done in her life, and I really feel sorry for her. 470 00:22:40,192 --> 00:22:41,484 A 19-year-old woman. 471 00:22:41,485 --> 00:22:45,446 Some people would refer to her as a girl. 472 00:22:45,447 --> 00:22:49,367 It was kind of like David and Goliath. 473 00:22:49,368 --> 00:22:50,494 Kobe. 474 00:22:53,872 --> 00:22:58,126 It was really the little girl against the big guy. 475 00:23:01,213 --> 00:23:03,799 You know, what's she going to do? 476 00:23:13,350 --> 00:23:16,394 Outside Eagle County Court Media Central. 477 00:23:16,395 --> 00:23:18,438 Makeshift stages for TV reporters 478 00:23:18,563 --> 00:23:21,732 cover a stretch nearly as long as a football field. 479 00:23:21,733 --> 00:23:24,026 30 satellite trucks from around the country. 480 00:23:24,027 --> 00:23:27,571 100 more journalists, technicians, photographers. 481 00:23:27,572 --> 00:23:30,617 Local news, cable news, newspapers, magazines, radio, 482 00:23:30,742 --> 00:23:33,035 sports reporters, and swarms of commentators. 483 00:23:33,036 --> 00:23:36,623 Folks, this is a somewhat extraordinary attention paid 484 00:23:36,748 --> 00:23:39,292 to what I think is an otherwise ordinary process. 485 00:23:39,418 --> 00:23:43,255 Kobe Bryant will not likely utter a word in that courtroom. 486 00:23:43,380 --> 00:23:44,631 No, sir. 487 00:23:44,756 --> 00:23:47,300 And he'll be in there perhaps all of 10 minutes. 488 00:23:47,426 --> 00:23:51,513 It's very OJ-esque, although not nearly as serious as that was. 489 00:24:03,442 --> 00:24:05,944 Looking behind me, we can show you the crowd. 490 00:24:06,069 --> 00:24:09,530 I couldn't hear any boos, so it would appear that a number 491 00:24:09,531 --> 00:24:12,533 of Kobe's fans in the accuser's hometown 492 00:24:12,534 --> 00:24:15,619 did show up to see the superstar. 493 00:24:15,620 --> 00:24:19,623 The media is already pre-trying this case 494 00:24:19,624 --> 00:24:21,584 in the court of public opinion. 495 00:24:21,585 --> 00:24:26,422 The defense was able to bring the media in as part 496 00:24:26,423 --> 00:24:28,842 of their team, whether the media knew it or not. 497 00:24:28,967 --> 00:24:31,178 We're going to hear from the defense about her background, 498 00:24:31,303 --> 00:24:33,847 her mental health, whether she's ever had sex before. 499 00:24:33,972 --> 00:24:34,806 And you know what? 500 00:24:34,931 --> 00:24:36,640 We don't do that to robbery victims. 501 00:24:36,641 --> 00:24:39,143 I wondered if they really had had that conversation with her, 502 00:24:39,144 --> 00:24:41,354 that this is going to be such a uphill battle. 503 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:43,023 You're going to be the one who's bashed. 504 00:24:43,148 --> 00:24:45,942 He's probably going to get more of the benefit of the doubt. 505 00:24:51,198 --> 00:24:52,823 Hats off to Miss Mackey. 506 00:24:52,824 --> 00:24:55,743 Mr. Bryant would always be next to her. 507 00:24:55,744 --> 00:25:02,124 So he would always have a very small female next to him. 508 00:25:02,125 --> 00:25:03,919 She'd put her arm on him. 509 00:25:07,380 --> 00:25:09,841 As far as Kobe's mother and father, I didn't see them. 510 00:25:09,966 --> 00:25:12,092 For your parents not to go to that-- 511 00:25:12,093 --> 00:25:13,511 he was the Boy King. 512 00:25:13,512 --> 00:25:16,097 So I was surprised not to see them at the court. 513 00:25:20,852 --> 00:25:22,687 Normally, preliminary hearings, the prosecution 514 00:25:22,812 --> 00:25:26,148 puts on a witness or two, and that's it. 515 00:25:26,149 --> 00:25:27,859 This was a packed courtroom. 516 00:25:27,984 --> 00:25:32,154 And it was all media, so it became a very different beast. 517 00:25:32,155 --> 00:25:34,908 The preliminary hearing is now underway in the case of 518 00:25:35,033 --> 00:25:36,243 Kobe Bryant. 519 00:25:36,368 --> 00:25:38,745 For the very first time, we are hearing the evidence. 520 00:25:38,870 --> 00:25:41,540 Much of it is very graphic and very harsh. 521 00:25:41,665 --> 00:25:43,499 We want to warn you about that. 522 00:25:43,500 --> 00:25:46,086 The tactics of Mr. Bryant's team was 523 00:25:46,211 --> 00:25:50,047 to throw everything they could at her and break her down. 524 00:25:50,048 --> 00:25:54,218 It had been ruled that we were not to use the victim's name 525 00:25:54,219 --> 00:25:55,386 in open court. 526 00:25:55,387 --> 00:25:57,012 Yet during the preliminary hearing, 527 00:25:57,013 --> 00:25:59,890 Pamela Mackey mentioned the victim's name several times. 528 00:25:59,891 --> 00:26:02,227 She just blurts out the alleged victim's name, the name 529 00:26:02,352 --> 00:26:03,519 that no one is supposed to say. 530 00:26:03,520 --> 00:26:04,353 Again and again. 531 00:26:04,354 --> 00:26:05,230 Not once. 532 00:26:05,355 --> 00:26:06,064 Not twice. 533 00:26:06,189 --> 00:26:07,690 But six times. 534 00:26:07,691 --> 00:26:10,192 She apologized and said, Judge, I'll even write myself a note 535 00:26:10,193 --> 00:26:11,527 to not do that. 536 00:26:11,528 --> 00:26:12,737 We all make mistakes. 537 00:26:12,862 --> 00:26:14,739 Pamela Mackey said that it was a mistake. 538 00:26:14,864 --> 00:26:15,907 But-- 539 00:26:16,032 --> 00:26:17,741 On the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth times, 540 00:26:17,742 --> 00:26:19,911 it was knowing and deliberate. 541 00:26:20,036 --> 00:26:22,204 Pamela Mackey is a very skilled lawyer. 542 00:26:22,205 --> 00:26:24,916 Some people say that that was a pressure move. 543 00:26:25,041 --> 00:26:28,086 Very skilled lawyers know what's coming out of their mouth. 544 00:26:28,211 --> 00:26:31,756 When they were going through the injuries that she sustained-- 545 00:26:31,881 --> 00:26:34,968 We were shown pictures in the courtroom of the private area 546 00:26:35,093 --> 00:26:38,138 of the woman where there were many lacerations according 547 00:26:38,263 --> 00:26:39,264 to the testimony. 548 00:26:39,389 --> 00:26:41,724 Also a laceration on her jaw. 549 00:26:41,725 --> 00:26:45,394 Nurses said that these injuries were consistent with trauma, 550 00:26:45,395 --> 00:26:48,481 not consistent with consensual sex. 551 00:26:48,607 --> 00:26:49,941 Pamela Mackey said-- 552 00:26:50,066 --> 00:26:52,234 Could that have been caused by having sex 553 00:26:52,235 --> 00:26:54,111 with three men over three days? 554 00:26:54,112 --> 00:26:55,571 Absolute bogus question. 555 00:26:55,572 --> 00:26:57,115 Never would come into trial. 556 00:26:57,240 --> 00:27:00,660 I didn't realize they would come out so strong, so quickly. 557 00:27:00,785 --> 00:27:04,121 Nothing but contemptible, disgusting, and it was sleazy. 558 00:27:04,122 --> 00:27:05,122 Shocking. 559 00:27:05,123 --> 00:27:06,707 Nancy, did you say shocking? 560 00:27:06,708 --> 00:27:10,419 I sure did because that violates what everybody knows is the rape 561 00:27:10,420 --> 00:27:12,297 shield law. 562 00:27:12,422 --> 00:27:15,758 The rape shield laws say you can't bring in a victim's 563 00:27:15,759 --> 00:27:17,426 past sexual history. 564 00:27:17,427 --> 00:27:18,969 Whether the victim has had sex before 565 00:27:18,970 --> 00:27:21,221 does not mean they were not raped. 566 00:27:21,222 --> 00:27:23,808 There are exceptions to the rape shield statute. 567 00:27:23,933 --> 00:27:26,978 And if someone else caused her injury, that's an exception. 568 00:27:27,103 --> 00:27:30,773 It was completely inflammatory, and it was untrue. 569 00:27:30,774 --> 00:27:32,441 Pamela Mackey, the defense lawyer, 570 00:27:32,442 --> 00:27:35,611 wanted the alleged victim to know the gloves are off, 571 00:27:35,612 --> 00:27:37,989 this is hardball, and we are coming after you. 572 00:27:38,114 --> 00:27:41,201 That's why rape victims don't come forward. 573 00:27:41,326 --> 00:27:46,121 I as the prosecutor in that case felt like this is just 574 00:27:46,122 --> 00:27:48,791 ridiculous how this case is being handled, 575 00:27:48,792 --> 00:27:51,044 both in the courtroom and outside the courtroom. 576 00:27:51,169 --> 00:27:54,172 In the press, the accuser was portrayed as a troubled party 577 00:27:54,297 --> 00:27:56,883 girl who was desperately seeking attention. 578 00:27:57,008 --> 00:27:59,009 The media can be relentless when it wants to be, 579 00:27:59,010 --> 00:28:01,845 particularly when it's a case like this that's high profile, 580 00:28:01,846 --> 00:28:03,013 that's salacious. 581 00:28:03,014 --> 00:28:05,725 Reports of drug use, suicide attempts, 582 00:28:05,850 --> 00:28:07,685 and her sexual history. 583 00:28:07,686 --> 00:28:09,603 People are tracking her down. 584 00:28:09,604 --> 00:28:11,855 Friends are trying to take pictures of her. 585 00:28:11,856 --> 00:28:15,526 Her and her family experienced serious death threats. 586 00:28:15,527 --> 00:28:17,820 People were prosecuted for that. 587 00:28:17,821 --> 00:28:21,366 They had to move around the country. 588 00:28:21,491 --> 00:28:23,117 And then, almost exactly one year 589 00:28:23,118 --> 00:28:26,995 after Kobe Bryant was arrested, Judge Terry Ruckriegel 590 00:28:26,996 --> 00:28:30,207 made a very big decision in July of 2004. 591 00:28:30,208 --> 00:28:32,668 The judge ruled that her sexual history would be allowed 592 00:28:32,669 --> 00:28:35,379 in a public trial. 593 00:28:35,380 --> 00:28:39,800 A 19-year-old woman getting up in front of all these people 594 00:28:39,801 --> 00:28:41,386 to talk about her sex life. 595 00:28:41,511 --> 00:28:46,057 It is incredibly invasive, and it is incredibly traumatizing. 596 00:28:49,269 --> 00:28:51,438 I believe-- I don't have to believe. 597 00:28:51,563 --> 00:28:53,021 I know that they just lost faith. 598 00:28:53,022 --> 00:28:56,109 They just lost faith in the system. 599 00:28:56,234 --> 00:28:59,070 She's one of the strongest women I know. 600 00:28:59,195 --> 00:29:00,780 She's fantastic. 601 00:29:00,905 --> 00:29:02,240 going through right now? 602 00:29:05,076 --> 00:29:06,535 What isn't she going through? 603 00:29:06,536 --> 00:29:07,369 She's hurt. 604 00:29:07,370 --> 00:29:08,329 She's been violated. 605 00:29:10,498 --> 00:29:14,084 I probably couldn't put words to what she's going through. 606 00:29:14,085 --> 00:29:17,921 This person that was resolute at the beginning, 607 00:29:17,922 --> 00:29:21,926 this person that was ready to go through anything, 608 00:29:22,051 --> 00:29:24,386 it just wore her down. 609 00:29:24,387 --> 00:29:27,931 I don't think any of us can have any idea of the impact that this 610 00:29:27,932 --> 00:29:31,059 had on that 19-year-old girl. 611 00:29:31,060 --> 00:29:32,936 Kobe Bryant stands in front of a judge 612 00:29:32,937 --> 00:29:35,939 and enters a plea in the sexual assault case against him. 613 00:29:35,940 --> 00:29:37,775 Do you understand that charge? 614 00:29:37,776 --> 00:29:38,734 Yes, sir. 615 00:29:38,735 --> 00:29:40,444 How do you plead? 616 00:29:40,445 --> 00:29:42,029 Not guilty or guilty? 617 00:29:42,030 --> 00:29:43,280 Not guilty. 618 00:29:43,281 --> 00:29:46,951 The proceeding simply starts the countdown to trial. 619 00:29:47,076 --> 00:29:49,954 The trial was set in August because it had to be tried 620 00:29:50,079 --> 00:29:52,456 within six months of his not guilty plea. 621 00:29:52,457 --> 00:29:53,833 The question only grows. 622 00:29:53,958 --> 00:29:57,462 Will Kobe Bryant remain a star in a City of Stars? 623 00:30:05,470 --> 00:30:09,306 Inside the courthouse, Kobe Bryant looking very serious. 624 00:30:09,307 --> 00:30:13,645 When you're on trial for rape, he didn't really react one way 625 00:30:13,770 --> 00:30:14,978 or the other. 626 00:30:14,979 --> 00:30:19,526 Maybe you don't feel like you're Kobe Bryant. 627 00:30:19,651 --> 00:30:20,818 He kind of fidgeted in his seat. 628 00:30:20,819 --> 00:30:23,111 He had his hands collapsed in front of him. 629 00:30:23,112 --> 00:30:25,489 The fear that he had to have felt-- 630 00:30:25,490 --> 00:30:28,492 Very studious, trying to listen to everything. 631 00:30:28,493 --> 00:30:31,078 That he may be the one to self-sabotage everything 632 00:30:31,079 --> 00:30:32,997 he's worked for, everything he's ever wanted. 633 00:30:33,122 --> 00:30:34,832 Like I did this to myself. 634 00:30:34,833 --> 00:30:37,377 You're not worried about reclaiming the NBA title. 635 00:30:37,502 --> 00:30:38,585 Me. 636 00:30:38,586 --> 00:30:40,921 You're worried about staying out of prison for life. 637 00:30:40,922 --> 00:30:43,466 That has to be eating away at you. 638 00:30:46,010 --> 00:30:50,514 The scene of Kobe Bryant coming back from Eagle, Colorado. 639 00:30:50,515 --> 00:30:52,099 Entering the arena. 640 00:30:52,100 --> 00:30:53,893 The crowd gave him a standing ovation 641 00:30:54,018 --> 00:30:55,520 when he entered the building. 642 00:30:55,645 --> 00:31:00,274 To play a game for the Lakers against the Denver Nuggets. 643 00:31:00,275 --> 00:31:04,237 To say it stirs up complex emotions I don't think quite 644 00:31:04,362 --> 00:31:05,196 goes far enough. 645 00:31:05,321 --> 00:31:06,906 I don't know how he did that. 646 00:31:07,031 --> 00:31:08,700 I don't know, man. 647 00:31:08,825 --> 00:31:10,910 I don't know if I have that in me. 648 00:31:11,035 --> 00:31:12,245 I really don't. 649 00:31:16,124 --> 00:31:19,419 To leave a courtroom, the game has already started. 650 00:31:22,046 --> 00:31:23,590 The Lakers win. 651 00:31:23,715 --> 00:31:25,425 And hits the game-winner? 652 00:31:25,550 --> 00:31:29,053 After listening and going through this-- 653 00:31:29,178 --> 00:31:30,721 you just-- yo, man. 654 00:31:30,722 --> 00:31:33,140 You wired differently. 655 00:31:33,141 --> 00:31:37,394 A long, very trying day for one Kobe Bryant 656 00:31:37,395 --> 00:31:42,149 just ended as sweetly as it possibly could. 657 00:31:42,150 --> 00:31:47,113 You hear the announcers softpedaling the nature of what 658 00:31:47,238 --> 00:31:49,574 kept him away from the basketball court. 659 00:31:49,699 --> 00:31:53,160 What a way to end Kobe's day. 660 00:31:53,161 --> 00:31:56,581 They're framing it in a way that makes it seem as if this is 661 00:31:56,706 --> 00:32:00,167 another piece of adversity for him to overcome, 662 00:32:00,168 --> 00:32:04,379 instead of a situation in which he is alleged to have done 663 00:32:04,380 --> 00:32:05,924 a reprehensible thing. 664 00:32:06,049 --> 00:32:09,384 That's a really tricky dance. 665 00:32:09,385 --> 00:32:13,264 The NBA's position was we're going to let things play out 666 00:32:13,389 --> 00:32:15,265 in the legal system, and then we'll 667 00:32:15,266 --> 00:32:16,725 take the appropriate action. 668 00:32:16,726 --> 00:32:19,979 I would go to the games during the middle of the case. 669 00:32:20,104 --> 00:32:22,482 The crowds were still yelling Kobe, Kobe, Kobe. 670 00:32:22,607 --> 00:32:23,899 He was their star. 671 00:32:23,900 --> 00:32:25,985 This is truly a wonderful, great day in Los Angeles 672 00:32:26,110 --> 00:32:27,487 Laker history. 673 00:32:27,612 --> 00:32:31,448 I'm here today to announce the signing of Kobe Bryant 674 00:32:31,449 --> 00:32:34,618 to a long term contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. 675 00:32:34,619 --> 00:32:37,497 So they had no problem signing him to a $100 and something 676 00:32:37,622 --> 00:32:41,208 million contract, seven years. 677 00:32:41,209 --> 00:32:43,294 I mean, if they had any reservation about him being 678 00:32:43,419 --> 00:32:45,295 convicted and going to jail, do you 679 00:32:45,296 --> 00:32:47,381 think for a moment they would have given him that contract? 680 00:32:47,382 --> 00:32:48,548 No. 681 00:32:48,549 --> 00:32:50,134 If there's any risk there, it's certainly a risk 682 00:32:50,259 --> 00:32:51,385 that we were willing to take. 683 00:32:51,386 --> 00:32:53,553 For Kobe, that had to be a big relief. 684 00:32:53,554 --> 00:32:55,973 It feels great to be here in the city of Los Angeles, 685 00:32:55,974 --> 00:32:57,724 playing for the Lakers for the next seven years. 686 00:32:57,725 --> 00:33:00,560 He had the right people behind him, this major organization-- 687 00:33:00,561 --> 00:33:02,145 It was unbelievable. 688 00:33:02,146 --> 00:33:04,064 that's going to slay whatever dragons they have to make 689 00:33:04,065 --> 00:33:07,527 sure this Laker team will have Kobe as a player. 690 00:33:18,413 --> 00:33:19,831 We are in the middle of jury selection, and-- 691 00:33:19,956 --> 00:33:21,832 We're beginning with some breaking news out of the Kobe 692 00:33:21,833 --> 00:33:23,167 Bryant case tonight. 693 00:33:23,292 --> 00:33:25,503 The victim gives me a call. 694 00:33:25,628 --> 00:33:27,547 Mark, I don't want to do this anymore. 695 00:33:27,672 --> 00:33:32,677 Today, I have reluctantly made the difficult decision 696 00:33:32,802 --> 00:33:37,724 to dismiss the case of People versus Kobe Bryant. 697 00:33:37,849 --> 00:33:40,685 She even apologized and said, I know you've spent a lot of time 698 00:33:40,810 --> 00:33:42,019 and effort on this. 699 00:33:42,020 --> 00:33:44,521 A trial can be very traumatic and even more 700 00:33:44,522 --> 00:33:48,025 so with the victim of a sexual assault whose victimization has 701 00:33:48,026 --> 00:33:51,404 been subject to worldwide scrutiny. 702 00:33:51,529 --> 00:33:57,076 She had been so beat up for so long that she had just reached 703 00:33:57,201 --> 00:33:59,203 her breaking point and had had enough. 704 00:33:59,328 --> 00:34:04,124 She was very courageous for a very, very long time, 705 00:34:04,125 --> 00:34:06,960 and I totally respect that. 706 00:34:06,961 --> 00:34:10,130 Today, justice is sadly interrupted. 707 00:34:10,131 --> 00:34:12,466 And the casualty in this interruption 708 00:34:12,467 --> 00:34:17,345 has been a brave young woman who was grievously hurt. 709 00:34:17,346 --> 00:34:21,850 The long range effects of this have been many. 710 00:34:21,851 --> 00:34:25,271 In Eagle County specifically, victims stopped reporting 711 00:34:25,396 --> 00:34:29,067 sexual assault. Our numbers dropped significantly. 712 00:34:32,779 --> 00:34:37,908 Criminally, he was never found guilty in a court of law. 713 00:34:37,909 --> 00:34:40,243 If you don't have a public trial, 714 00:34:40,244 --> 00:34:42,079 people can ignore it then. 715 00:34:42,080 --> 00:34:44,123 It was just an allegation. 716 00:34:44,248 --> 00:34:47,794 And it goes back to, unfortunately, our desire 717 00:34:47,919 --> 00:34:52,632 to have people that we can look up to and say are practically 718 00:34:52,757 --> 00:34:57,637 heroes for being a really good basketball player. 719 00:34:57,762 --> 00:34:59,679 I think it's a big relief for Laker fans. 720 00:34:59,680 --> 00:35:02,849 Now they can get to business, concentrate on next year. 721 00:35:02,850 --> 00:35:03,725 They got their guy. 722 00:35:03,726 --> 00:35:04,684 He's set. 723 00:35:04,685 --> 00:35:05,727 I'm very excited for Kobe. 724 00:35:05,728 --> 00:35:06,938 I'm happy for him. 725 00:35:07,063 --> 00:35:08,772 I'm glad that it's finally behind him. 726 00:35:08,773 --> 00:35:11,274 Maybe if he hadn't gone through all the pressure, 727 00:35:11,275 --> 00:35:14,736 maybe they would have brought home the trophy. 728 00:35:14,737 --> 00:35:18,031 The criminal charges cannot be refiled against Bryant. 729 00:35:18,032 --> 00:35:20,575 However, his legal troubles are far from over. 730 00:35:20,576 --> 00:35:25,289 Civil suit was filed by the alleged victim that was settled. 731 00:35:25,414 --> 00:35:29,459 Meanwhile, Bryant issued an apology to her. 732 00:35:29,460 --> 00:35:33,964 First, I want to apologize directly to the young woman 733 00:35:33,965 --> 00:35:35,800 involved in this incident. 734 00:35:35,925 --> 00:35:39,679 I want to apologize to her for my behavior that night 735 00:35:39,804 --> 00:35:43,808 and for the consequences she has suffered in the past year. 736 00:35:43,933 --> 00:35:46,978 Although this year has been incredibly difficult for me 737 00:35:47,103 --> 00:35:52,817 personally, I can only imagine the pain she has had to endure. 738 00:35:52,942 --> 00:35:55,361 Although I truly believe this encounter between us 739 00:35:55,486 --> 00:35:59,739 was consensual, I recognize now-- 740 00:35:59,740 --> 00:36:02,994 I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident 741 00:36:03,119 --> 00:36:04,495 the same way I did. 742 00:36:04,620 --> 00:36:07,498 After months of reviewing discovery, listening 743 00:36:07,623 --> 00:36:10,000 to her attorney and even her testimony in person, 744 00:36:10,001 --> 00:36:13,671 I now understand how she feels that she did not consent. 745 00:36:13,796 --> 00:36:19,427 How she feels that she did not consent to this encounter. 746 00:36:23,347 --> 00:36:27,309 It's been a long time since I heard those words. 747 00:36:27,310 --> 00:36:28,852 Wow. 748 00:36:28,853 --> 00:36:31,355 At that time, you would never get a statement like that. 749 00:36:31,480 --> 00:36:33,399 It was always, I never did it. 750 00:36:33,524 --> 00:36:34,734 The victim was lying. 751 00:36:34,859 --> 00:36:36,903 I've now been vindicated. 752 00:36:37,028 --> 00:36:39,071 But this one was very different. 753 00:36:39,197 --> 00:36:42,324 Maybe it was naive of me, but I certainly thought, hey, maybe-- 754 00:36:42,325 --> 00:36:44,492 maybe there is a change in this person, 755 00:36:44,493 --> 00:36:48,039 that he doesn't hurt another person. 756 00:36:48,164 --> 00:36:49,874 Do I think justice prevailed in this case? 757 00:36:49,999 --> 00:36:51,166 Absolutely not. 758 00:36:51,167 --> 00:36:53,168 At the time, I was just angry and probably 759 00:36:53,169 --> 00:36:54,587 had some expletives. 760 00:36:54,712 --> 00:36:55,922 It's well crafted. 761 00:36:56,047 --> 00:36:58,090 I mean, yeah. 762 00:36:58,216 --> 00:37:00,508 I think he knows what he did. 763 00:37:00,509 --> 00:37:04,304 Should we all forgive him for what he did? 764 00:37:04,305 --> 00:37:06,265 That's up to you and your God. 765 00:37:12,146 --> 00:37:17,318 I think Kobe just grew up really quickly during the hearings. 766 00:37:19,528 --> 00:37:22,155 I think he realized at that point 767 00:37:22,156 --> 00:37:27,661 that he was not invincible. 768 00:37:27,662 --> 00:37:31,164 There was an intensity about Kobe that 769 00:37:31,165 --> 00:37:33,917 was unusual and unrelenting. 770 00:37:33,918 --> 00:37:35,586 He had a film called Muse. 771 00:37:35,711 --> 00:37:41,259 Had all this pent up frustration that I just needed to let out. 772 00:37:41,384 --> 00:37:43,093 And he expresses that anger. 773 00:37:43,094 --> 00:37:44,262 Darker emotions. 774 00:37:44,387 --> 00:37:45,387 The frustration. 775 00:37:45,388 --> 00:37:48,307 Anger, resentment, sadness. 776 00:37:48,432 --> 00:37:50,433 All the things that were swirling through him as he 777 00:37:50,434 --> 00:37:52,269 went through the sexual assault case. 778 00:37:52,270 --> 00:37:54,938 I wish he had expressed the regret. 779 00:37:54,939 --> 00:37:57,525 Using that as a weapon. 780 00:38:01,153 --> 00:38:03,697 There was so much dark energy. 781 00:38:03,698 --> 00:38:07,701 So Kobe and I connected in August of 2003 to help 782 00:38:07,702 --> 00:38:10,870 build the alter ego, to make sure that when he goes back out 783 00:38:10,871 --> 00:38:15,041 on the court, that could be the world that he could control. 784 00:38:15,042 --> 00:38:16,627 Because he could not control anything 785 00:38:16,752 --> 00:38:20,297 that was happening off of the court. 786 00:38:20,298 --> 00:38:22,967 So I get the phone call from Kobe. 787 00:38:23,092 --> 00:38:26,304 And his first words were, I got it. 788 00:38:26,429 --> 00:38:28,472 I was watching Kill Bill. 789 00:38:28,597 --> 00:38:32,809 And there was this one scene where an assassin has. 790 00:38:32,810 --> 00:38:35,979 I'd like to introduce my friend, the black mamba. 791 00:38:35,980 --> 00:38:37,314 A black mamba snake. 792 00:38:37,315 --> 00:38:38,649 He spoke to me. 793 00:38:38,774 --> 00:38:41,819 The length of the snake, the accuracy of the snake, 794 00:38:41,944 --> 00:38:43,154 the temperament. 795 00:38:43,279 --> 00:38:45,780 The black mamba snake is used as the assassin. 796 00:38:45,781 --> 00:38:48,659 Only with the mamba is death sure. 797 00:38:48,784 --> 00:38:50,327 When I step on the court, that's me. 798 00:38:50,328 --> 00:38:51,537 I don't play around. 799 00:38:51,662 --> 00:38:52,954 I'm not there to be your best friend. 800 00:38:52,955 --> 00:38:54,497 I am there to destroy you. 801 00:38:54,498 --> 00:38:59,002 Hence its handle, death incarnate. 802 00:38:59,003 --> 00:39:00,795 Pretty cool, huh? 803 00:39:00,796 --> 00:39:03,256 I want to put fear in people the way 804 00:39:03,257 --> 00:39:06,259 the black mamba does when they see it. 805 00:39:06,260 --> 00:39:11,306 That's when the switch was flicked in. 806 00:39:11,307 --> 00:39:13,516 The Black Mamba was born. 807 00:39:13,517 --> 00:39:16,686 The Black Mamba alter ego got him through probably 808 00:39:16,687 --> 00:39:19,357 the darkest time of his life and then became just 809 00:39:19,482 --> 00:39:20,940 part of his aura. 810 00:39:20,941 --> 00:39:25,862 Post Mamba Kobe had a lot to do with him learning how to use 811 00:39:25,863 --> 00:39:28,323 hate to become his power. 812 00:39:28,324 --> 00:39:30,617 Because nobody had rage like him. 813 00:39:30,618 --> 00:39:32,160 Nobody. 814 00:39:32,161 --> 00:39:33,870 He was like a dragon coming through. 815 00:39:33,871 --> 00:39:38,291 The angrier he gets, the more he's going to douse you. 816 00:39:38,292 --> 00:39:40,543 There's a lot of stuff that happened to this guy 817 00:39:40,544 --> 00:39:45,465 once he embraced hate, and the Mamba just showed up. 818 00:39:45,466 --> 00:39:49,803 To me, the greatest was the 62-point game against Dallas. 819 00:39:49,804 --> 00:39:52,347 At the end of the third quarter, he had 62. 820 00:39:52,348 --> 00:39:54,725 The Dallas Mavericks had 61. 821 00:39:54,850 --> 00:39:58,437 One man outscoring an entire team. 822 00:39:58,562 --> 00:40:00,897 The next month, he did 81. 823 00:40:00,898 --> 00:40:02,023 He came back with that. 824 00:40:02,024 --> 00:40:05,444 In 2008, he is the leader of The Redeem Team 825 00:40:05,569 --> 00:40:08,905 that recaptures the gold medal for the United States. 826 00:40:08,906 --> 00:40:09,949 Incredible feeling. 827 00:40:10,074 --> 00:40:11,032 We've been waiting for this for a while. 828 00:40:11,033 --> 00:40:12,076 USA is back on top. 829 00:40:12,201 --> 00:40:13,368 This is what it's all about. 830 00:40:13,369 --> 00:40:15,287 He won his first championship without Shaq 831 00:40:15,413 --> 00:40:16,622 once he became the Mamba. 832 00:40:16,747 --> 00:40:18,582 He won his second championship without Shaq 833 00:40:18,707 --> 00:40:19,959 once he became the Mamba. 834 00:40:20,084 --> 00:40:23,295 He finally won an MVP once he became the Mamba. 835 00:40:23,421 --> 00:40:28,842 At that point, he is so far and away the best basketball player 836 00:40:28,843 --> 00:40:30,260 on the planet. 837 00:40:30,261 --> 00:40:39,769 And then his second daughter, Gianna, is born in early 2006. 838 00:40:39,770 --> 00:40:44,108 You could see, there was this Kobe Bryant in there that was 839 00:40:44,233 --> 00:40:47,360 different from the Black Mamba. 840 00:40:47,361 --> 00:40:49,488 Like the black mamba snake, he would sort of 841 00:40:49,613 --> 00:40:54,033 shed that and become Kobe the person, Kobe the dad, 842 00:40:54,034 --> 00:40:56,286 Kobe the father. 843 00:40:56,287 --> 00:41:00,166 I remember Natalia and Gigi in little Laker girl outfit. 844 00:41:00,291 --> 00:41:01,500 It was so cute. 845 00:41:07,006 --> 00:41:12,845 I think every time they had a child, that was another version 846 00:41:12,970 --> 00:41:15,597 of Vanessa entering into the world. 847 00:41:15,598 --> 00:41:23,355 And I think he was hellbent on making sure that the pain he 848 00:41:23,481 --> 00:41:26,484 brought to Vanessa, that pain from him 849 00:41:26,609 --> 00:41:31,571 would never, ever, ever hit his daughters. 850 00:41:31,572 --> 00:41:36,075 I think after Colorado, he was really, really concerned 851 00:41:36,076 --> 00:41:41,332 about what this incident, which was never going to disappear, 852 00:41:41,457 --> 00:41:45,084 was going to do to his kids, and how he was going to restore 853 00:41:45,085 --> 00:41:50,256 his legacy, and how he was going to make this up to his family. 854 00:41:50,257 --> 00:41:53,426 Kobe Bryant did not invent girldad. 855 00:41:53,427 --> 00:41:55,929 He just perfected it. 856 00:41:55,930 --> 00:42:00,266 It just felt like the future was limitless for him. 857 00:42:00,267 --> 00:42:05,313 Then in a heartbeat, it all stops in the most horrific 858 00:42:05,314 --> 00:42:06,899 way imaginable. 859 00:42:09,276 --> 00:42:12,905 The first half of his career is like people was attacking 860 00:42:13,030 --> 00:42:14,155 his character. 861 00:42:14,156 --> 00:42:17,409 The end of it is like people was loving this guy. 862 00:42:17,535 --> 00:42:19,703 Because we watched how he had transformed once 863 00:42:19,828 --> 00:42:21,247 he stopped playing basketball. 864 00:42:21,372 --> 00:42:24,332 My little 11-year-old Gianna goes, well, dad, you always tell 865 00:42:24,333 --> 00:42:25,584 us to go after our dreams. 866 00:42:25,709 --> 00:42:28,044 Fatherhood meant everything to Kobe's life. 867 00:42:28,045 --> 00:42:32,215 And there was something about this man that said his life is 868 00:42:32,216 --> 00:42:33,259 just beginning. 869 00:42:33,384 --> 00:42:35,343 And then all of a sudden-- 870 00:42:35,344 --> 00:42:37,221 A helicopter crashed into a mountain.