Kobe may be guilty technically, and actually believe he is innocent.
It would not be the first time a man just assumed when a woman said "no" she meant yes, or that women "enjoy rough sex" when in fact they don't, or when a woman screams "stop" that it doesn't mean go deeper or try harder. The moans of the pain pleasure by a woman often sound like an encouragement.
Many women want to be dominated in the sex act, yet there is this very fine line that men are never supposed to cross in the process.
The bottom line is if he did in any way force her, or use his power to dominate her against her will in the sexual encounter, he is guilty as charged.
The very fact that he is a known as a very mature 25 year old, superstar, media savvy, etc. and is having sex with a 19 year old in his room shows he was in the position of power.
His only claim to powerlessness is the powerless of his mind over his dick that overruled his reason and conscience sufficient to betray his wife. Not a great excuse, and should not bring a whole lot of sympathy. It paints a picture of man who cannot control his baser impulses over reason, or the love of his wife and child.
Did he abuse that power? Did he take advantage of the situation and force her to do something that she ultimately didn't want to do?
It will be an interesting case.
It really is a shame that we won't have prosecutors who are of the same intellectual level, or with the same funding to buy the best expert witnesses as the defense.
My hope is that the jury can just cut through the bullshit and decide who is really telling the truth.
It may well be that Kobe is telling the truth when he says he is innocent (based on what he thinks is true) and she is also telling the truth (based on what she thinks is true).
Sex sure can be a complicated issue.
It would not be the first time a man just assumed when a woman said "no" she meant yes, or that women "enjoy rough sex" when in fact they don't, or when a woman screams "stop" that it doesn't mean go deeper or try harder. The moans of the pain pleasure by a woman often sound like an encouragement.
Many women want to be dominated in the sex act, yet there is this very fine line that men are never supposed to cross in the process.
The bottom line is if he did in any way force her, or use his power to dominate her against her will in the sexual encounter, he is guilty as charged.
The very fact that he is a known as a very mature 25 year old, superstar, media savvy, etc. and is having sex with a 19 year old in his room shows he was in the position of power.
His only claim to powerlessness is the powerless of his mind over his dick that overruled his reason and conscience sufficient to betray his wife. Not a great excuse, and should not bring a whole lot of sympathy. It paints a picture of man who cannot control his baser impulses over reason, or the love of his wife and child.
Did he abuse that power? Did he take advantage of the situation and force her to do something that she ultimately didn't want to do?
It will be an interesting case.
It really is a shame that we won't have prosecutors who are of the same intellectual level, or with the same funding to buy the best expert witnesses as the defense.
My hope is that the jury can just cut through the bullshit and decide who is really telling the truth.
It may well be that Kobe is telling the truth when he says he is innocent (based on what he thinks is true) and she is also telling the truth (based on what she thinks is true).
Sex sure can be a complicated issue.
Quote from aphexcoil:
I've read some amazing posts on this thread.
First, in reply to Rock Solid's tirade about rape, religion and marriage, let me just say the following. When someone enters into a marriage (Christian marriage in this example), it is assumed that you are doing so because you believe in that faith.
Amazingly, personal responsibility for one's own actions seems to be evaporating. If you want to get "a little on the side," then you realize that you are doing so in direct contradiction to the morals and values that you have prescribed to previously. In more simple terms, you cannot have your cake and eat it to. Too many people are "part-time" believers in any religion that they follow.
Now, regarding rape --
There is a true story of an SGA president at a high-school who was well liked by most of his peers. He was a gentleman, got very high grades and was one of the better players on the football team. He was an "all-around" great guy. Well, apparently he also liked to have sex with girls, regardless of whether they wanted to or not. The term "date-rape" basically is used in situations where the victim knows the rapist rather well. One girl who was raped by this person came out and accused him of rape.
What happened?
Nobody believed her. She was ridiculed, threatened and shunned by the student body. It got so bad that she had to withdraw and fight a lengthy court battle. Eventually, evidence came forward that proved her case and showed that this individual had, in fact, raped other women.
I don't think this girl would come out and claim rape simply for the publicity. That is the last thing she wants. Think about this -- a lot of people love Kobe. He's a great player. If her name got out in the papers, she would be threatened along with her family.
This could be a situation where she gave him signals and then decided that she did not want to go through with it. There could be a lot of scenarios that played out, including the use of alcohol, drugs, etc.
Bottom line -- He is innocent until proven guilty. She has a right to make a case against him. If it is proven that any woman knowingly tried to frame a celebrity with rape, I feel they should get the same maximum penalty that the man would have received.