[Kimmie1913]

I am so sick of the whole Kobe thing. It is disgusting to me to see her picture all over the internet. If anyone of us were a rape victim and the media actually had enough respect NOT to put your identity out there, how horrific for the ASSES on the internet to go out of their way to victimize you again.

I have no opinion one way or another as to whether or not he did it. Just because he is Kobe Bryant NBA player makes no difference to me. People are so quick to jump to conclusions. None of the people out here speculating one way or another know much about the evidence, the story or the statements given in this case. To say because he is in the NBA or is Kobe means he did or didn't do it is absolutely ludicrous. Any person is capable of a crime, even rape, regardless of their status. If Jason Kidd can beat up his wife, Winona Rider can shoplift, Kobe can force himself on a woman. Period.

And on the flip side she could be fabricating the rape aspect of their encounter. We don't know and have not been given the information to make that determination. He could be innocent but that would be because he did not do it not be cause he is a superstar. Being a superstar does not make you innocent, not committing crimes does.

Who he is and what he does should not be a factor in that determination. How can anyone say anything about either one of their character unless you know them personally. Images are often false but, as many of the discussions around this case show, certainly mean a lot.

And what a license to assault that is for those famous people who would do such a thing. What a great way to intimidate future witnesses. Before anyone knew anything about whether or not their is evidence supporting her story she was depicted as a gold digging whore who set him up. No one knew if there was DNA. No one knew if there were bruises. No one knew if their were witnesses who saw or heard anything. All they knew was she accused their precious Kobe, poster boy, so she must be lying. What a wonderful tool to discourage women who are actually raped by celebrities from coming forward.

I ABSOLUTELY think he should be treated as innocent until proven guilty and so should she. Hell, she has not been accused of a crime but has certainly been convicted by many of lying.

On a side note, and from a legal perspective, I do find it interesting that the story went from nothing happened to well, by nothing I mean I had sex with her but it was consensual. That is what I would advise a client accused of sexual assault whose DNA was likely to be found on the accuser to say. If you say nothing happened you have to explain away how your DNA ended up on her but if you say it was consensual you limit the question to the he said she said of whether it really was or was not done with consent.

I think it is unfortunate that in so many ways celebrities are cut so much slack for their alleged crimes when if he was “Kobe from the block” no one would give a damn or act so invested in the outcome. It taints the whole process.