Defense: Evidence compelling

Bryant ruling expected by Monday

? Kobe Bryant’s accuser showed up for her rape exam wearing panties containing another man’s sperm, a startling discovery that defense lawyers called “compelling evidence” the NBA player is innocent.

But Bryant’s preliminary hearing ended Wednesday with prosecutors telling a judge there was “uncontradicted” evidence that the Los Angeles Lakers’ guard raped the 19-year-old woman at a mountain resort.

“He held her by the back of the neck with his hand during sexual intercourse,” prosecutor Greg Crittenden said. “He lifted up her skirt. She said ‘no.’ He pulled down her underpants and she said ‘no.’ He penetrated her from behind and she cried.”

Judge Frederick Gannett said he hoped to rule by Monday whether Bryant will have to stand trial on a sexual assault charge that could send him to prison for life.

Gannett only has to find there is probable cause to believe Bryant raped the woman, something defense attorney Pamela Mackey told the judge prosecutors failed to prove because the woman told her story through a sheriff’s detective.

“She is not worthy of your belief,” Mackey said.

Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert said, however, he was confident the judge would send the case to trial.

“No prosecutor puts on their whole case at preliminary hearing,” he said.

Prosecutors tried to portray Bryant as an arrogant athlete who held the woman down and raped her, concerned only that she might talk about the encounter.