Bryant Prosecution Adds Personnel, Money

EAGLE, Colo. — Reinforcements are arriving for the Eagle County district attorney’s office as it prepares to prosecute Laker guard Kobe Bryant for felony sexual assault.

Boulder County will provide veteran deputy district attorney Ingrid Bakke, the head of its sex assault and domestic violence unit, to assist Eagle County Dist. Atty. Mark Hurlbert for up to a year.

Also, Eagle County commissioners authorized $105,000 in contingency funds, a figure that could grow to $150,000, a county official said.

Hurlbert’s annual budget to prosecute crimes in four mountain counties is

$2 million. Nearly half the amount is earmarked for Eagle County, but the other counties -- Lake, Clear Creek and Summit -- could be asked to contribute a portion of their budgets.

Still, the money at Hurlbert’s disposal pales in comparison to what Bryant could spend on his defense. Bryant’s annual income with the Lakers and in endorsements is estimated to be at least $25 million, and recently he bought his wife a $4-million diamond ring.

Bryant’s attorneys on Tuesday asked Eagle County judge Fred Gannett to reconsider his ruling to allow news cameras in the courtroom where the basketball star is scheduled to appear next week, saying they are concerned about publicity affecting their client’s ability to get a fair trial.

Pamela Mackey and Hal Haddon said they were not given a chance to present arguments before Gannett issued a ruling on cameras late last week.

Bryant is accused of raping a 19-year-old Eagle woman June 30 at a resort hotel in nearby Edwards. Bryant says he is innocent, although he said he had sex with the woman.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled Aug. 6, and Terry Ruckriegle, chief judge of the fifth judicial district, issued a media decorum order Tuesday that emphasized protecting the privacy of the accuser. Anyone who broadcasts or publishes the woman’s image or name “may be subject to exclusion from certain proceedings and/or other legal sanctions.”

The Times has a policy not to identify alleged victims of sexual assault in most cases. The Times also has declined to publish details of the accuser’s background to protect her privacy.

The decorum order also bars reporters from using cell phones and tape recorders inside the courthouse, and prohibits photographing witnesses, potential jurors, and Bryant’s accuser and her family.

The case has consumed Hurlbert and his chief deputy, Greg Crittenden, since Bryant was arrested July 4. Charges were filed July 18. The Eagle County district attorney’s office has kept its doors locked since Friday, and Hurlbert has acknowledged receiving death threats.

Eagle County officials have been concerned about their ability to pay for a high-profile trial, but prosecutors throughout Colorado have pledged support. Hurlbert now believes he will have sufficient resources, his spokesperson said.

The Colorado Judicial Branch is expected to launch a Web page this week that will provide information on hearing schedules, motions rulings and other details regarding the case.

An Eagle County judge on Thursday will consider an application by The Times and other media to have several documents pertaining to the investigation and arrest unsealed.