Ramblings' Journal

Judge: Kobe Bryant's accuser cannot be referred to as "victim"

Colorado state District Judge Terry Ruckriegle agreed with defense attorneys in the Kobe Bryant sexual abuse trial that using the term "victim" to describe the woman who has accused the LA Lakers' star of rape implies guilt on Kobe's part.

"Its use under these circumstances could improperly suggest that a crime had been committed such that the presumption of innocence might be jeopardized," Ruckriegle said. He said the 19-year-old woman must be referred to by name at trial and as a "person" in jury instructions.

This is going to get very interesting for a press who has broken their collective necks not to give the accuser's name or show her picture since this case broke last summer.

And a trial date still has not been set.

Posted by mhking at June 2, 2004 01:19 PM