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http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpYTg2ZTBwBF9TAzk1ODYxOTQ4BHNlYw
N0bQ--?slug=ap-bryantcase&prov=ap&type=lgns
DENVER (AP) -- Attorneys for the woman accusing Kobe Bryant of rape went on
a public relations offensive Tuesday, appearing on network television to
bolster her public image and dispel speculation that a settlement is in the
works in her civil lawsuit against the NBA star.
``We fully expect that case to be aggressively litigated,'' attorney John
Clune said on the CBS ``Early Show.''
The criminal case against Bryant was dropped last week, but the civil suit
seeking an unspecified dollar amount is pending in Denver federal court. In
separate television appearances, Clune and attorney Lin Wood said the civil
case is a strong one.
Experts said Clune and Wood were seeking to pressure Bryant, possibly by
suggesting that damaging or embarrassing information about him might come
out if the lawsuit goes to trial.
``It's all an effort to manipulate public opinion with a long-term goal of
procuring from Bryant a greater monetary settlement,'' Denver attorney Scott
Robinson said. ``I'd be doing the same thing.''
In their TV appearances, Clune and Wood said there have been no talks about
settling the civil case since the felony sexual assault charge was dropped.
On NBC's ``Today Show,'' Wood stressed that the standard of proof in civil
court is a ``preponderance of evidence,'' rather than the tougher standard
in criminal trials, where prosecutors must convince the jury beyond a
reasonable doubt.
Wood and Clune said their client was a normal woman caught up in abnormal
circumstances.
``She made some mistakes,'' Wood said. ``This young girl was a true victim
and (the public) will feel very sorry for what she had to go through and
what her family went through over the last year and will have to put up
(with) for the rest of her life. It's a real tragedy.''
Larry Pozner, a Denver attorney and former president of the National
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said Clune and Wood are unlikely to
be able to put additional pressure on Bryant in the civil case.
``(The plaintiff has) the same leverage as in every other civil case: Is it
worth your time, money and brain damage to continue in the civil case?''
Pozner said. ``For a guy like Kobe Bryant, who has enough money and other
things to occupy his time, there is some number he pays just to make it go
away, just to have peace of mind.''
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