Judge in Bryant case throws out evidence

State District Judge Terry Ruckriegle said investigators didn’t have the proper search warrant to transport Bryant to the hospital in the middle of the night. Ruckriegle also extended a "plea negotiation deadline" until Tuesday, July 19, because of his order.

The next set of pretrial hearings is scheduled for July 19-21.

Ruckriegle, though, denied a defense request to throw out a 75-minute interview of the NBA star by detectives and evidence including a shirt stained with the alleged victim’s blood. The judge then disagreed when Bryant’s attorneys said the material was gathered while Bryant was illegally in custody.

According to Ruckriegle, the 25-year-old Bryant willingly talked to the detectives and gave them some of his clothing. Ruckriegle also noted that there was no evidence of coercion put on Bryant to either speak to the authorities or to provide the items from his room.

Prosecutors had argued in favor of submitting the medical exam and the rest of the evidence, saying that it was collected with Bryant’s consent the night after the alleged attack.

During a hearing in February, lead investigator Doug Winters acknowledged that Bryant’s hospital examination violated Colorado court rules.

Bryant is accused of sexually assaulting a woman nearly a year ago 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.