Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I _•_.__ . m PHOTO COURTESY OF KRT CAMPUS The Knicks’ Allan Houston tries to get by the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant in the first quarter of their game at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Nov. 19, 2003. Bryant’s prosecutors want private hearing BY JON SARCHE THE ASSOCIATED PJiESS DENVER — There is no way to hold public court hearings on the medical records of Kobe Bryant’s alleged sexual assault victim with out violating her privacy rights, lawyers for the prosecution and the woman say in court filings. The NBA star’s attorneys want access to the woman’s medical records because they contend they will prove that she engaged in a pattern of dangerous acts — in cluding suicide attempts — to gain the attention of her ex-boyfriend. A Jan. 23 hearing is expected to center on the issue, and media or ganizations, including The Associated Press, have argued that the public should be allowed at the proceeding. In filings made public late Friday, prosecutors, a lawyer for the alleged victim and lawyers for a victim’s advocacy center said the hearing and the medical records should remain private. They argued that privacy rights regarding medical or mental health records are absolute unless they are-waived. “There is little if any benefit to public access to this proceeding aside from satisfying mere cu riosity,” wrote John Clune, an at torney for the alleged victim. Bryant’s lawyers contend the 19-year-old woman indirectly waived her medical-record priva cy rights by talking to others about her health and treatment. But they also want to block media coverage of the hearing, as well as another scheduled for February that is expected to focus on whether Bryant’s statements to police were obtained illegally and therefore inadmissible at trial. The media attorneys have ar gued for keeping both hearings open, saying that much of the in formation already has been pub lished or broadcast, and that hear ings can be conducted without re leasing sensitive information. Bryant, 25, faces four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation if convicted of felony sexual assault. The Los Angeles Lakers star has said he had con sensual sex with the woman June 30, when he stayed at the moun tain resort where she worked. No trial date has been scheduled. In another filing, prosecutors said Colorado’s rape shield law, which generally prevents defense attorneys from bringing up an al leged victim’s prior sexual con duct, is constitutional even though it allows such information into a trial if it is determined relevant. Bryant’s lawyers have argued that the shield the law violates a defendant’s constitutional right to equal protection, but prosecutor Dana Easter wrote that the law has been upheld in previous rul ings. It was unclear when State District Judge Terry Ruckriegle would hear arguments or rule on the constitutionality of the rape shield law. Two other hearings are scheduled in March. I James Madison University to offer ‘morning after’ pill THE ASSOCIATED PRESS HARRISONBURG, VA. - The James Madison University Board of Visitors voted Friday to re sume dispensing the “morning after” birth control pill at the school’s student health center. The board had voted last April to stop on-campus distribution of emergency contraceptive pills. However, Democratic Gov. Mark R. Warner appointed successors to five board members whose terms expired at the end of June, providing enough votes to re verse the earlier decision. The pill, which can be taken up to 72 hours after intercourse, inhibits ovulation, implantation and fertilization of the woman’s egg. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies the pill as a contraceptive, but opponents consider it a form of nonsurgical abortion. "It comes as no surprise that the governor’s self-picked politi cal patrons have reversed a deci sion that was intended to protect the health of young women,” said Victoria Cobb, a lobbyist for the conservative Family Foundation. Ben Greenberg, a lobbyist for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, praised the decision. "Those who oppose women’s access to emergency contracep tion are trying to blur the lines between birth control and abor tion,” he said. Stephen Leeolou, a board member, said it was not for the university to decide whether the medication is a contraceptive or a a method of abortion. The board ^ should regard the pill as a legally sanctioned drug, he said. Air Force Reserve to promote Sanford to captain this month THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CHARLESTON - Gov. Mark Sanford is getting a promotion in the Air Force Reserve. His commanding officer said Friday that Sanford’s rank will go to captain from lieutenant by the end of the month, even though the governor hasn’t com pleted all the training required to become a fully qualified medi cal administration officer in the Air Force Reserve’s 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. “He attends drills once a month and is doing what we’ve asked him to do,” said Col. Gary Cook, commander of the 315th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base. Cook said the pro motion is routine. About 40 percent of the 315th Wing has been called to active duty during the past year, but Sanford hasn’t been called up. The governor’s status as a member of the Reserve is being challenged in court because the South Carolina Constitution says a sitting governor cannot hold any other office or commission except in the militia. The state Supreme Court hasn’t ruled in that case. Sanford joined the Air Force Reserve in January 2002 about two months before he filed to run for governor. He has defended his decision saying being in the Reserve makes him a better gov ernor and father to his four sons. Last April, Sanford complet ed two weeks of training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., for officers who receive direct commissions. He has said he is working on a A correspondence course designed ™ to train him as a medical admin istrator. A final portion of the course must be completed at a base in San Antonio. Reserve spokesman Kenny Pruitt said Sanford’s name did not appear on any schedule for training in Texas. www.dailygamecock.com Nobody covers USC better. ^ —lyv — Be the First to Litle at,. l I m-im 21 National Guard Read (across (torn the Stadium) Call For Details Ms fit EDSUH ta8UH*c*mrt» < Brand kid Apartments (Cmphtt in Fntt 200b) t Fully Furnished < Private Bath Ai/ailihle i «Individual Leases M Shuttle to HSC 121j Hr Computer Lah, | Gameroom, and Fitness Center i «Rental Rates Include Utilities