By Kristy Eckert
Cox News Service

Kobe Bryant (left) and defense attorney Pamela Mackey appear before judge Frederick Gannett at the Eagle County, Colo., courthouse Wednesday. (Associated Press photo) | ZOOM |

EAGLE, Colo. - NBA superstar Kobe Bryant appeared in court Wednesday for the first time facing charges that he sexually assaulted a 19-year-old woman here June 30.

The hearing, which drew roughly 100 onlookers and about as many reporters, lasted seven minutes.

Judge Frederick Gannett instructed Bryant to return Oct. 9 for a preliminary hearing that will establish whether there is probable cause to send the case to district court for trial.

Bryant, a star for the Los Angeles Lakers, emerged from a three-SUV entourage stone-faced and remained that way for the short hearing. His wife, Vanessa, was not present.

He has said he and his accuser had consensual sex.

Bryant's attorneys said he understands the charges filed against him and waived his right to have the judge read them. If convicted, Bryant faces four years to life in prison or 20 to life on probation.

"No, sir," were the only words Bryant spoke. They were in response to the judge's question if Bryant had a problem holding the preliminary beyond the normal 30-day time span.

Gannett said he will not rule on a media request to unseal records from the case before Aug. 18.

Gannett also announced he will appoint a special investigator to look into pretrial publicity and whether Eagle County sheriff Joseph Hoy violated a non-communication order of the court. Bryant's attorneys had filed a motion questioning the legalities of pretrial publicity.

Outside the courthouse, a few hundred people had gathered by 3:45 p.m., waving signs and snapping photos when Bryant entered and exited the courthouse.

"Kobe's innocent!" a fan shouted.

"We love you!" yelled another.

Bryant did not hide his face or turn his back but also didn't acknowledge his fans.

"This is somewhat extraordinary attention paid to what I think is a fairly ordinary process," Gannett said of the media attention.

Bryant's accuser says he sexually assaulted her at a mountain resort where she worked at the front desk. Bryant was staying at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera while in the area for knee surgery July 1.

The woman and her parents reported the alleged assault to the Eagle County Sheriff's Department July 1. She and Bryant were taken to hospitals, where he submitted a DNA sample and she underwent a sexual assault exam that yielded physical evidence.

Bryant flew back to Los Angeles, then quietly returned to Eagle July 4 after Hoy obtained a warrant for his arrest. Bryant spent about an hour in jail, posted $25,000 bail and went home.

According to the charges, Bryant "inflicted sexual intrusion or sexual penetration" that "caused submission of the victim through the actual application of physical force or physical violence."