Charges Against Kobe Bryant Dismissed

Kobe Bryant will not be tried on sexual assault charges after Judge Terry Ruckriegle accepted a prosecution motion to dismiss the charges because the woman who accused him of raping her decided not to testify.

District Attorney Mark Hurlbert told Ruckriegle he requested dismissal "solely on the fact the victim at this time is unable to go forward."

"This decision is not based upon a lack of my office's commitment to the case. With the victim we truly felt we had a great case and that justice would prevail. Our commitment to this case remains strong," Hurlbert said. "She is an extremely credible and brave young woman, and our belief in her has not wavered over the past year."

"The victim has informed us after much of her own labored deliberation that she does not want to proceed with this trial. For this reason, and this reason only, I am dismissing this case," he said.

Kobe Bryant was not in the courtroom when the charges were dismissed. Later in a statement to the press, Bryant said: "First, I want to apologize directly to the young woman involved in this incident. I want to apologize to her for my behavior that night and for the consequences she has suffered in the past year. ... Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did."

"Today, justice is sadly interrupted," Hurlbert told reporters. "The casualty in this interruption has been a brave young woman who has been grievously hurt."

Lin Wood, an attorney for Bryant's accuser, told CNN that civil suit against Bryant will continue.

See USA Today: Judge Dismisses Bryant Rape Case

Background: The Kobe Bryant Case
See Also: More Headline Cases