The Orange County Register reported that two months ago the alleged victim nearly OD'd on pills because of anguish over the break-up with her boyfriend. And, already, one can find her picture and name on the Internet.
Bryant, given his wealth, youth, looks and fame, stands as a magnet for women seeking to shake him down for money. True, a woman falsely accused former Dallas Cowboys stars Erik Williams and Michael Irvin, claiming Williams raped her while Irvin videotaped the alleged crime. The allegations proved baseless. But, in this case, Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert claims to possess solid physical and testimonial evidence, sufficient, he says, to prove his case beyond a reasonable doubt. Again, we know little until a trial -- assuming the matter goes that far.
The news networks scrambled to break "news." Fox's Greta Van Susteren, in one of the more bizarre interviews, landed a "friend of Kobe Bryant's," an attractive young lady, with whom Bryant had a relationship lasting all of two months. The "friend" attested to Bryant's good character, but Van Susteren struggled to determine how the relationship started:
Greta Van Susteren: How did you meet him?
Jamieka Williams: It was after a basketball game at the Forum in Inglewood . . .
Van Susteren: How do you actually meet a basketball player at the Forum?
Williams: We just saw each other and started talking -- exchanged numbers and started talking from there.
Van Susteren: When you say you -- when you saw him, I mean I assume he was playing basketball?
Williams: No. This was after the game.
Van Susteren: All right. But I mean it's like . . . were people hanging around after the game? I mean I'm -- I don't understand.
Williams: I'm pretty sure, but I was able to meet him and we exchanged numbers.
Van Susteren: How -- I mean where do you -- how do you happen to even like have eye contact because, usually after the game, they go into the locker room and -- they leave the court?
Wiliams: Yes. But it -- it was after the game.
Van Susteren: And was it inside the Forum? . . .
Williams: Yes, it was -- it may have been near -- I'm trying to think if it was near the tunnel or -- it was outside possibly . . .
Oh. And the trial hasn't even started yet.