Hurlbert won't take
lead role in Kobe trial

updated 1:01 a.m. ET July 1, 2004

The prosecutor who has led the sexual assault case against Kobe Bryant since last summer said Wednesday he will not take a prominent role in the NBA star’s trial, instead leaving day-to-day responsibilities to his chief deputy and two others.

District Attorney Mark Hurlbert said he will provide general oversight in the trial, scheduled to begin Aug. 27. His chief deputy, Gregg Crittenden, and prosecutors Dana Easter and Ingrid Bakke will handle most of the trial duties, a spokeswoman said.

Hurlbert said in a statement that he would be neglecting other duties in his four-county district if he became deeply involved in the trial.

It is not unusual for a district attorney to take a supervisory role in a case, but such decisions typically come earlier, former prosecutor Karen Steinhauser said.

Former prosecutor Norm Early praised the decision, saying Hurlbert essentially was working two full-time jobs: running the district’s criminal prosecution efforts and prosecuting Bryant.

“The victim in the Bryant case is not the only constituent in the 5th Judicial District, and other constituents are being victimized on a daily basis, and they feel their cases are as important to them as the Bryant case is to that victim,” Early said.

Dave Lugert, a longtime federal prosecutor before becoming a defense attorney, was more critical, saying the decision could be viewed as political. Hurlbert, who was appointed district attorney last year to fill a vacancy, is campaigning for a full term in the November election.

“The entire district attorney’s office rises or falls with the tide of the verdict in this case,” Lugert said.

Bryant is scheduled to return to Eagle for a three-day hearing beginning July 19. He has pleaded not guilty to felony sexual assault and has said he had consensual sex with a teenage employee of the Vail-area resort where he stayed last summer.

If convicted, Bryant faces four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation, and a fine up to $750,000.

Hurlbert said he expected the trial to be over by October.

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