Judge closes hearing in Kobe Bryant case

Bryant’s attorneys hope to prove at the January 23 hearing that the 19-year- old woman gave up her privacy rights by talking about her medical condition and treatment with others.

Judge Terry Ruckriegle said Wednesday that evidence and testimony to be presented during the hearing would likely contain embarrassing information that would be circulated around the world due to the extreme media interest in the case.

The Los Angeles Lakers star is accused of sexually assaulting a then 19-year- old woman on June 30 at a Colorado resort, a Class 3 felony with penalties ranging from four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation.

Bryant, who was in Colorado for surgery on his right knee at the time of the alleged assault, claimed the two had consensual sex.