Not to jump the gun, but there are indications that the case against Kobe Bryant will be dismissed, and that the accuser no longer wishes to testify.
Posted by John at September 1, 2004 06:04 PMWow. I wonder what's going on there... maybe she's working a deal to ensure her $75K civil suit turns out well?
Prosecutors will ask that the charge be dismissed with prejudice
That sounds cool. "Oh, my case didn't just get dimissed, that fucker was dismissed with prejudice".
Posted by: Rick at September 1, 2004 07:42 PMAs I understand it, which we all know means absolutely notihing, a dismissal with predjudice allows for the possibility of the state re-trying the defendant later. In this case, that hasn't happened, according to the AP report I just read, so essentially Kobe got laid for the low, low price of 14 months of headache, a strained marriage, endless rape accusations, and one gigantic ring for the wife. I hope she was good.
Posted by: Chris at September 1, 2004 08:53 PM"With prejudice" prevents a future charge from being filed. "Without prejudice" allows for a another charge to be filed. The statement Kobe issued is extremely conciliatory towards the victim. In a sense, this indicates that the civil suit may have already been settled. Were it already settled, it is unlikely that we will be privy to that info for some time. Settling the civil suit with the accuser as a condition for agreeing not to testify is tampering with the judicial process and a crime itself. Therefore, even if the civil suit has been settled, expect some time to pass, otherwise the quick settlement will arouse suspicion and the attorneys involved could be investigated.
Posted by: John at September 1, 2004 09:34 PMWord, then I guess the "predjudice" part applies to the prosecutors, not the client. I thought it was t'other way 'round.
Posted by: Chris at September 1, 2004 11:43 PM