Judge denies bid for delay in Bryant case

DENVER – The judge in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case denied prosecutors’ request for an indefinite delay in the trial late Friday, saying there was no justification for a postponement.

But District Judge Terry Ruckriegle sided with prosecutors in two other rulings relating to the woman’s medical history and her use of alcohol and drugs.

The rulings came amid intense speculation about whether prosecutors intended to drop the case after a series of setbacks that prompted them to seek a delay in the trial, scheduled to begin with jury selection on Aug. 27.

Among them was the release of a transcript of a closed-door hearing – which prosecutors called “extremely harmful” – in which defense witness Elizabeth Johnson explained why she believed the woman had sex with another man within 15 hours after her encounter with Bryant.

Attorneys for the accuser this week filed a civil lawsuit against Bryant in federal court. Defense attorney Pamela Mackey said in a filing made public Friday that the lawsuit showed the woman was pursuing a false allegation in “the hope of a large monetary award.”

Prosecution spokeswoman Krista Flannigan declined to comment on either of Friday’s rulings, citing a sweeping gag order. She did say prosecutors still plan to go to trial as scheduled.

“Nothing has changed,” she said.