Records Released in Kobe Bryant Case

By: Jon Sarche, Associated Press Writer (AP) Authorities looking to arrest basketball star Kobe Bryant on a sexual assault charge also wanted to charge him with false imprisonment, according to a copy of the arrest warrant unsealed Wednesday.

The handful of documents that were released by a judge Wednesday contain few details but provide a glimpse into how authorities put together their case.

Bryant, 25, has been charged with a single count of felony sexual assault alleging he raped a 19-year-old employee at a Colorado resort where he was a guest June 30.

The Los Angeles Lakers guard has said the two had consensual sex. An Oct. 9 preliminary hearing will determine whether the case will go to trial.

While Bryant was only charged with sexual assault, the July 3 arrest warrant said there was "probable cause" Bryant was also guilty of false imprisonment, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.

The decision to charge Bryant with only the sexual assault count was made by Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert.

"You file charges on things you believe you have enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt," said Hurlbert's spokeswoman, Krista Flannigan.

The prosecutor probably chose to drop that charge to avoid the risk of a conviction on false imprisonment rather than the more serious assault charge, Denver criminal defense attorney Dan Recht said.

"The jury won't know it's a class 2 misdemeanor and won't even know it's a misdemeanor. False imprisonment has a serious ring to it," Recht said.

Conviction on the sexual assault charge could bring a sentence of four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation.

There was no immediate response Wednesday to calls seeking comment from Bryant's attorneys and the Eagle County sheriff's office.

Authorities have not said what allegedly happened in Bryant's hotel suite.

Also unsealed Wednesday was Judge Russell Granger's order allowing Bryant to leave Colorado on July 4 about a half-hour after he surrendered to authorities.

Earlier this week, media organizations filed notice that they will appeal Judge Frederick Gannett's order to withhold from the public most of the detailed court records in the case. Prosecutors have said they will not appeal the order. Bryant's attorneys have not indicated their plans.