Kobe Bryant case jury questioning goes behind closed doors

EAGLE, Colo. -- Prospective jurors in the Kobe Bryant rape case were asked their feelings on racial prejudice, interracial relationships, marital infidelity and justice for the rich and famous in an 82-item questionnaire released Monday.\nThe potential jurors filled out the surveys Friday, and lawyers began questioning them individually behind closed doors Monday after District Judge Terry Ruckriegle rejected a request to let the media listen in.\nRuckriegle said he wanted the prospective jurors to feel they could answer questions about potentially embarrassing topics without scrutiny from the media. He said the prospective jurors' right to privacy and Bryant's right to a fair trial outweigh the First Amendment right of access.\nBryant, 26, who appeared at the courthouse Monday, 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 last summer. If convicted, the Los Angeles Lakers star could get four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation, and a fine of up to $750,000.\nProspective jurors were asked about their impressions of pro basketball players, and whether they believe wealthy people are treated better by the courts.\nThe questionnaire asks candidates how they feel about interracial relationships, whether they have had "any negative experience with an African-American" and whether they are biased against mental health professionals.\nIt also asks whether they have been "affected by or involved in" marital infidelity.\nBryant is a married father of one. He is black; his accuser is white.\nRichard Gabriel, a Los Angeles-based trial consultant with Decision Analysis, said the questionnaire probably does not provide an accurate glimpse of arguments that will come up at trial.\n"It probably has more to do with what one side anticipates the other side's themes and issues are going to be and wanting to clearly find out if people are going to be amenable to it," he said.\nIn all, the jury pool consists of 276 Eagle County residents -- 205 who filled out questionnaires Friday and were called back for more questioning, and 71 who were added on Monday.\nJury selection will be private until at least Wednesday, when reporters will be able to watch through closed-circuit television. By then, the jury pool will probably have been whittled down considerably.\nOpening statements are expected Sept. 7.\nProsecutors and defense attorneys argued against opening the questioning to the media, saying potential jurors might be inhibited in answering questions.\nMedia attorney Steve Zansberg noted Bryant's right to a fair trial but said the media and the public have a right to access under the First Amendment. The judge, however, disagreed.