| So we can all agree to disagree. The only thing I think we all agree on is that this is a tragedy for his innocent children. I’m not sad and won’t miss having one less rapist in the world. But for his children, I’m very sad and hope they have a good support system. |
I encourage you to read his court statement. |
They did it to be closer to Vanessa's family(she is from the OC coast, went to high school in the next city from Newport, Huntington Beach). Kobe and Vanessa used to live in Pacific Palisades but they said they moved to Newport Beach to be closer to Vanessa's mom. Kobe was estranged from his own parents after his marriage. On mother's day and at his retirement, he was with Vanessa's mom and called her mom. |
I encourage you to let it go. I believe her. I live in LA and many of us also believe her, but people like basketball so they cheered for Kobe. He was a good Dad, awful husband and did good things for the community. It doesn’t change that in my opinion he was a rapist. |
So why not put Mamba down in Newport? |
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“Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did.… I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter.”
She did not consent to this encounter She did not consent No consent = rape She was raped. |
She feels she did not consent does not mean she did not consent. When she said no he stopped. What they had was a communication issue. |
Oh cool. So that explains her blood on his shirt and the bruise on her neck. |
I encourage you to read it as well. And then to point out where he says, I raped her, it was rape and I’m sorry that I raped her. He never admitted he raped that woman. |
Can you explain why she went onto party and brag about his penis and having sex with him? |
| And she bragged about her time with him too, for 4 days afterwards. Facts go both ways. There was no conviction. A thread the week of his death should not include this debate. |
Your opinion is irrelevant and wrong. In the eyes of the law he isn’t a rapist. |
Not to get graphic, but I have made people bleed before and it definitely was not rape. As someone else said, communication issue and people judging past actions by today's standards. In 2003, it was "no means no" and when she said no, he stopped (according to accounts). Now, it is something entirely different. Another poster in this thread made a good point that waayyyyy more 40+ men would be considered rapists if they were judged by today's standards. |
This is a good point. I am going to start adding more good/positive Kobe memories to this thread. He was an icon to many and this is a great loss. |
| I think a huge part of Kobe’s appeal is that he was flawed, accepted responsibility, and bettered himself. This article is touching. https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/29/opinions/redemption-kobe-bryant-catholic-faith-beck/index.html |