Lawyers for Kobe Bryant — the black NBA superstar accused of raping a white Colorado hotel worker — want prospective jurors to reveal their opinions on interracial dating.
Including the issue on a questionnaire to be completed by jurors was vehemently opposed by prosecutors, who argued that such a query muddies the facts of the case.
"This was not a relationship. This was not a date," prosecutor Dana Easter told Judge Terry Ruckriegle yesterday in Eagle County District Court.
But that may not be the point for defense lawyers, who want the proposed question to help identify racial bias among prospective jurors in overwhelmingly white Eagle County.
"Only a fool will think race has nothing to do with this case . . . Questions about racial attitudes are completely appropriate," said Craig Silverman, a former Denver prosecutor who follows the case.
New York Post.
Including the issue on a questionnaire to be completed by jurors was vehemently opposed by prosecutors, who argued that such a query muddies the facts of the case.
"This was not a relationship. This was not a date," prosecutor Dana Easter told Judge Terry Ruckriegle yesterday in Eagle County District Court.
But that may not be the point for defense lawyers, who want the proposed question to help identify racial bias among prospective jurors in overwhelmingly white Eagle County.
"Only a fool will think race has nothing to do with this case . . . Questions about racial attitudes are completely appropriate," said Craig Silverman, a former Denver prosecutor who follows the case.
New York Post.
