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NEWPORT BEACH -- Kobe Bryant called 911 the day before he surrendered to police on a sexual-assault accusation, and medics later treated a female at his home, officials said Friday.
The Lakers star hung up the phone without talking, but a dispatcher called back, speaking to three people, including Bryant, before sending police and paramedics, police Sgt. Steve Shulman said. Medics arrived at 12:40 a.m on July 3 and stayed 23 minutes.
"He confirmed that the reason for the call that he made initially was for medical assistance at the residence and the medical assistance was not for him, it was for someone else," Shulman said.
Bryant made the call the day before he returned to Colorado on July 4 to surrender to police. He has been charged with one count of felony sexual assault against a 19-year-old employee at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera near Edwards, Colo. He had been in Colorado for surgery on his knee.
Bryant, who is free on $25,000 bail, is expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday. He has said his accuser had sex with him willingly.
After the 911 call from Bryant's home, police determined there was no criminal conduct and no report was taken, Shulman said. He characterized the call as a "medical assistance call."
Medics treated a female at the house but did not need to take her to the hospital, said Vickie Cleary, emergency services manager for the Newport Beach Fire Department.
No further details were immediately available, and it was unclear whether the medics treated a woman or child. Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, had a baby girl in January.
Paramedics were summoned to the house for a similar medical emergency March 5, Cleary said. That time, paramedics took a female to the hospital after evaluating and treating her at the home.
"A friend of the (patient) arrived and assumed responsibility for her baby and he secured the home," a report by fire officials read in part. Medics spent an hour at the house before taking the woman by ambulance.
Cleary did not say whether the female treated was the same for both calls.
In Eagle, Colo., with more facts trickling in daily, and the fact that many witnesses have talked to friends, relatives and the media, lawyers are going to have to re-interview potential witnesses.
Legal experts say one of the biggest headaches for lawyers in criminal cases is when their witnesses talk constantly about a case.
When witnesses give interviews to the media, "that means more work for the DA's office," said Krista Flannigan, spokeswoman for the Eagle County District Attorney's office.
In the retelling, they can embellish or make more dramatic the story they originally told investigators.
Or there might be slight variations in the story that might seem inconsequential at first glance but to a skilled trial litigator can be highly pertinent.
If the witnesses give inconsistent statements, their credibility becomes suspect.
"When cameras start focusing on people, they do all kinds of things," said Karen Steinhauser, a former prosecutor and a visiting professor at the University of Denver Law School.
Flannigan said the DA's office has talked with witnesses and told them they can talk to anyone they want. But they also have been told they have a right not to talk.
Denver attorney Nathan Chambers said that changed stories is an issue in virtually every case.
"The more opportunity there is for multiple statements, the more statements could be in conflict," Chambers said. "The massive publicity does increase the possibility for conflicting statements."
Flannigan said the DA's office has spoken to a number of witnesses to prepare them for what they can expect from the media in a high-profile case.
The media will want to talk to them and will approach them in a variety of ways, Flannigan said the witnesses are told.
Flannigan said a primary concern is the safety and security of the witnesses, some of whom have been "stalked" by the media, including being chased by cars.
The Lakers star hung up the phone without talking, but a dispatcher called back, speaking to three people, including Bryant, before sending police and paramedics, police Sgt. Steve Shulman said. Medics arrived at 12:40 a.m on July 3 and stayed 23 minutes.
"He confirmed that the reason for the call that he made initially was for medical assistance at the residence and the medical assistance was not for him, it was for someone else," Shulman said.
Bryant made the call the day before he returned to Colorado on July 4 to surrender to police. He has been charged with one count of felony sexual assault against a 19-year-old employee at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera near Edwards, Colo. He had been in Colorado for surgery on his knee.
Bryant, who is free on $25,000 bail, is expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday. He has said his accuser had sex with him willingly.
After the 911 call from Bryant's home, police determined there was no criminal conduct and no report was taken, Shulman said. He characterized the call as a "medical assistance call."
Medics treated a female at the house but did not need to take her to the hospital, said Vickie Cleary, emergency services manager for the Newport Beach Fire Department.
No further details were immediately available, and it was unclear whether the medics treated a woman or child. Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, had a baby girl in January.
Paramedics were summoned to the house for a similar medical emergency March 5, Cleary said. That time, paramedics took a female to the hospital after evaluating and treating her at the home.
"A friend of the (patient) arrived and assumed responsibility for her baby and he secured the home," a report by fire officials read in part. Medics spent an hour at the house before taking the woman by ambulance.
Cleary did not say whether the female treated was the same for both calls.
In Eagle, Colo., with more facts trickling in daily, and the fact that many witnesses have talked to friends, relatives and the media, lawyers are going to have to re-interview potential witnesses.
Legal experts say one of the biggest headaches for lawyers in criminal cases is when their witnesses talk constantly about a case.
When witnesses give interviews to the media, "that means more work for the DA's office," said Krista Flannigan, spokeswoman for the Eagle County District Attorney's office.
In the retelling, they can embellish or make more dramatic the story they originally told investigators.
Or there might be slight variations in the story that might seem inconsequential at first glance but to a skilled trial litigator can be highly pertinent.
If the witnesses give inconsistent statements, their credibility becomes suspect.
"When cameras start focusing on people, they do all kinds of things," said Karen Steinhauser, a former prosecutor and a visiting professor at the University of Denver Law School.
Flannigan said the DA's office has talked with witnesses and told them they can talk to anyone they want. But they also have been told they have a right not to talk.
Denver attorney Nathan Chambers said that changed stories is an issue in virtually every case.
"The more opportunity there is for multiple statements, the more statements could be in conflict," Chambers said. "The massive publicity does increase the possibility for conflicting statements."
Flannigan said the DA's office has spoken to a number of witnesses to prepare them for what they can expect from the media in a high-profile case.
The media will want to talk to them and will approach them in a variety of ways, Flannigan said the witnesses are told.
Flannigan said a primary concern is the safety and security of the witnesses, some of whom have been "stalked" by the media, including being chased by cars.