[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by Reeka: quote: Originally posted by Thoran: I also would not presume, but in the absence of witnesses and/or physical evidence, I would presume to say that you can't convict a man on the word of a woman (or vice versa).

My understanding is that there is physical evidence----that is if you consider vaginal tearing to be evidence. [/QUOTE]Not to seem cold or callous, Reeka, but that could also have resulted from "rough sex".

I haven't followed this story, but I did see a replay of Kobe's press conference. I have to admit the impression I got was one of total honosty. He admitted that he had sex with the girl (something he presumably had denied before), but he claimed he was innocent of the charges she filed against him.

However, it wasn't what Kobe said as much as how he said it. His body language, facial expressions, and repetition of certain phrases all indicated that his comments were spontaneous - not contrived or prepared ahead of time. I suppose what really convinced me of his honosty (at the press conference) were all these non-verbal indicators. I tried to imagine how I would feel and what I would say if I were the one that had to admit to the world (and my wife) that I had committed adultery. I felt that I would have acted and spoken in exactly the same manner Kobe did.

As for the allegations of drug use against the victim, that is all part of the shameful game played by the lawyers. The prosecutors will try to paint Kobe as a spoiled superstar that felt his fame and fortune granted him the right to do whatever he wanted to with impunity and the defense will try to paint the girl as a gold-digging, fame seeking, vamp with a less than spotless reputation that set out to entrap Kobe. As I said, it's shameful on both sides, but hopefully the whole truth WILL be revealed during the trial.

Until that time, I will have to join Attalus in reserving my opinion of innocence or guilt towards either party.