Current Events > Animation film fest drops Kobe Bryant after outcry over 2003 rape allegations

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http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25010373/animation-film-fest-rescinds-kobe-bryant-invite-outcry

LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant was dropped Wednesday from the jury of an animated film festival after calls for the former NBA star's ouster over a 2003 rape allegation.

An online petition had been circulating demanding Bryant be dropped.

He released a statement saying he was honored to be invited and disappointed to be excluded.

"This decision further motivates me and my commitment to building a studio that focuses on diversity and inclusion in storytelling for the animation industry," Bryant's statement said. "I remain focused on changing the world in positive ways through diverse stories, characters, and leadership, in order to inspire the next generation."

In 2003, Bryant was charged with raping a 19-year-old hotel employee.

The Lakers star said he believed it was a consensual sexual encounter.

The case was dropped after Bryant's accuser refused to testify. She later filed a civil suit against him, which was settled out of court with Bryant admitting no guilt.

Thoughts?

i was just thinking about this, watching the boondocks

his defense was pretty crummy though, basically "she had sex with so many people so i couldn't have raped her"
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I think rape is one of those crimes that is just so hard to prove. Maybe he did rape the young woman, but you need more than he said, she said. It's a sad situation for victims, so I try not to think about it too much.
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It didn't become rape till he went backdoor on her, so that wasn't consensual.
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Meanwhile, the liberal Academy gave him an Oscar.
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Wow
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bump