WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2004
SPORTS
Questioning whittles Bryant jury pool below 300
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
EAGLE, Colo. - Attorneys in the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case resumed closed-door questioning of prospective jurors Tuesday, seeking out their attitudes about race, experiences with sexual assault and any effect pretrial publicity has had on them.
The first round of questioning on Monday took nearly 10 hours.
District Judge Terry Ruckriegle rejected a media request for access Monday, saying he wanted candidates to feel they could answer questions about potentially embarrassing topics without scrutiny by the press.
by the press.
Ruckleggle said Bryant's right to a fair trial and the potential jurors' right to privacy outweigh "qualified" First Amendment rights of access.
Bryant, 26, has pleaded not guilty to felony sexual assault, saying he had consensual sex with a then-19-year-old employee at a Vail-area resort where he stayed last summer. If convicted, the Los Angeles Lakers star faces four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation, and a fine of up to $750,000.
Before the questioning began, potential jurors filled out an 82-
item questionnaire asking them their feelings about interracial relationships, whether they have had "any negative experience with an African American" and whether they are biased against mental health professionals, among other things.
Trial consultant Howard Varinsky of Varinsky Associates said he believed the defense was particularly concerned with people's feelings on whether a
defendant must prove he is innocent or whether he should be required to testify.
required to seize. Prosecutors, he said, would be wary of people who have had negative experiences with law enforcement or the court system.
"Both sides are looking for who to kick," he said.
In all, the jury pool includes 276 Eagle County residents 205 of whom filled out questionnaires Friday and were called
back for more questioning this week after attorneys reviewed the answers over the weekend. The other potential jurors filled out questionnaires Monday.
Jury selection will be private until at least Wednesday, when reporters will be able to watch and listen through closed-circuit television. By then, the jury pool will likely have been whittled considerably. Opening statements are expected Sept. 7.
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KILIAN: Kansas defense preparing for Saturday
junior linebacker Kevin Kane.
"He likes to run around if he can.
We just have to have someone aware at all times whether or not he's going to run."
The dynamic Kilian may cause havoc on Saturday for a Kansas defense that struggled at times last season.
However, Kragthorpe said he was impressed with the 'Hawks' defense, citing last season's victory over Missouri and the limited production of Tigers' quarterback Brad Smith as evidence that the defensive unit can shut down a mobile quarterback like Kilian.
"I am sure there are a lot of things they will do to try and limit the production of James Killian." Kragthorpe said. "I think what bodes well for us this year is the way that we compliment the things we do with James."
In addition to its experience with Brad Smith, the Jayhawks have played against other mobile quarterbacks like former Kansas State quarterback Ell
"Does it mean we can defend this
young guy the way we defended Brad Smith or Ell Roberson? No, but our kids understand on defense, if you let the quarterback create big plays it is going to be a long night. We have to get after him and we have to force them out of their rhythm."
Mark Mangino Kansas football coach
Roberson. Mangino said playing against Roberson and Smith could help the defense in preparing for Kilian.
and having played against athletic quarterbacks certainly will help us.
"Experience is everything." Mangino said. "Nothing takes the place of game experience,
"Does it mean we can defend this young guy the way we defended Brad Smith or Ell Roberson? No, but our kids understand on defense, if you let the quarterback create big plays it is going to be a long night. We have to get after him and we have to force them out of their rhythm."
Kragtorpe has a positive outlook about what Kilian can do on the field. After a full year as the team's starter Kilian looks poised to improve on the numbers he put up last season.
"We have been able to do so many different things than we did last year," Kragthorpe said. "James gives us a good chance to do that because he is a very bright guy and he manages the game well, so we're excited."
Last season Kilian was named to the second team AllWestern Athletic Conference.
- Edited by Rupal Gor
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GALINDO: New shooter ready for Kansas court
a laugh, "so I've got to be his favorite."
Galindo spent two years at St. Benedict's Prep High School in Newark, N.J., before coming to Kansas. But despite his time away from Puerto Rico, he said he still felt great pride for his country. This especially held true during the Olympics, when the Puerto Rican basketball team defeated the United States 92-73 on Aug. 15.
"It's a big win for us," Galindo said. "Everybody wanted to beat the United States."
Galindo said he mostly idolized Puerto Rican players growing up but felt his game was modeled after that of European players.
Known as a pure shooter, Galindo struggled early in the Jayhawks' open practice Saturday but later found his touch, draining a pair of high-arcing threes in the final quarter.
"Alex can really shoot the ball." Self said. "He was nervous early but showed he could shoot it late."
Galindo said his goal would be to step onto the court without having the team miss a beat.
"I want to come in the game and keep doing what Keith, J.R. and Wayne have started doing so the level we are playing at doesn't go down," Galindo said. "That is going to be my role, and I'm prepared to do it."
Galindo is also prepared to show he has grown up since the situation with UTEP.
"At that time, I was kind of immature about the process," Galindo said. "Now, I know what I'm doing."
Edited by Paige Worth...
VOLLEYBALL: Fans should support the team
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most of his career.
ted last year's NJCAA national champions in digs and averaged 3.4 kills per set, will be a good addition. That's one more reason to share the football love with the volleyball ladies.
Bechard posted a 716-60 career record at Barton and transformed the program into the dominant force it is today before coming to Kansas after the 1997 season.
Needless to say, Caten, who
You proved last year that there could be two fall favorites, so keep sharing the
love, and this talented group of girls won't let you down. We won't forget the ever-present football frenzy that engulfs us all, but let's get behind another group of much improved fall ballers.
Bauer is a Winfield junior in journalism