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Sources: evidence of bruising, vaginal trauma in Bryant case

David O. Williams

District Attorney Mark Hurlbert Oct. 9 will present evidence of vaginal trauma and bruising around the neck of the alleged victim in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case, sources have told The Vail Trail.Hurlbert filed a motion last week aimed at blocking a defense bid to compel Byrant’s accuser to testify at the Oct. 9 preliminary hearing, stating in the motion that he would present photos of the 19-year-old alleged victim’s injuries.Hurlbert also said he would put Eagle County Sheriff’s Detective Doug Winters on the stand to testify about the injuries and the findings of a medical examination shortly after the June 30 incident.The Vail Trail has learned that those injuries include evidence of bruising around the alleged victim’s neck and vaginal trauma. While evidence of vaginal tearing was first reported by ABC News Aug. 6, the reporting of bruising on the neck on The Trail’s Website at http://www.vailtrail.com Wednesday night, Sept. 17, marks the first time that evidence has been confirmed by reliable sources in the mainstream media.Officials could not comment because Eagle County Judge Fred Gannett has ordered court and law enforcement officers involved in the case not to discuss it with the media.Bryant, a superstar guard with the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, faces a charge of the third-degree sexual assault in connection with the incident that occurred at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera near Edwards prior to his July 1 knee surgery at Vail’s Steadman Hawkins Clinic.If convicted, he faces 4 years to life in prison.Bryant maintains his innocence, admitting only that he had consensual sex with the Eagle Valley High School graduate, who was a college student working as a concierge at the hotel over the summer. Bryant is free on a $25,000 bond.The purpose of the Oct. 9 preliminary hearing is to determine if there is probable cause for a trial. If the judge decides there is enough evidence, he will send the case up to Eagle County District Court, where a trial date will be set.In addition to the photos and the testimony of Winters, Hurlbert also plans to play an enhanced video tape of an interview with Bryant and a videotaped interview with the alleged victim.According to Hurlbert’s motion, the DA’s office will “provide photos of the victim’s injuries from the medical examination, and, through Detective Winters, an explanation of the significance of those injuries,” as provided by a clinical forensic nurse specialist. q


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