The alleged victim in NBA star Kobe Bryant's sexual assault case, center, walks into an Eagle County Courtroom as a member of Bryant's security team, left, stands at the courtroom door, Wednesday, March 24, 2004, in Eagle, Colorado.
Kobe Bryant's accuser testified about her sex life for more than three hours Wednesday during a closed-door hearing that will determine whether any of the information can be introduced at the NBA star's rape trial.
The 19-year-old woman sat in a courtroom just a few feet from Bryant — the first time they faced each other since their encounter last summer.
Experts said she was probably questioned about the most intimate details of her sexual history.
"The hard questions will make her quite sober as to what she's got to face and maybe put it in her mind what will happen at trial," said Robert Pugsley, a professor at Southwestern University School of Law.
The woman slipped into the courthouse through a fire exit as her parents entered through another door. Appearing calm and composed, she ignored a throng of reporters and photographers as she walked into the courtroom.
She was finished by lunch. It was unclear whether she would have to return for more testimony.
Bryant has said he had consensual sex last June with the woman at the Vail-area resort where she worked. If convicted, the Los Angeles Lakers (news) guard faces four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation.
His lawyers insist the woman's sexual history should be admitted because it could show that her injuries were caused by another sex partner and that she had a "scheme" to have sex with Bryant and others, possibly to gain the attention of an ex-boyfriend.
Colorado's rape-shield law, like others around the country, generally bars defense attorneys from bringing up information about an alleged victim's sex life. Judges, however, can hear such testimony in private to determine whether the information is relevant and admissible as evidence.
Prosecutors fought to limit defense questioning of the woman but were rebuffed by state District Judge Terry Ruckriegle and the Colorado Supreme Court.
Another closed-door hearing resumes Thursday on a request by Bryant's lawyers to throw out evidence, including the basketball star's recorded statements to investigators and a T-shirt stained with the accuser's blood.
Yahoo News.
