DA to announce a decision in Bryant assault case today

EAGLE, Colo. -- After two weeks of investigation, the district attorney will announce Friday whether Kobe Bryant will be charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman.

The announcement is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Bryant, a three-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, surrendered to authorities July 4 on allegations he attacked the woman at the exclusive mountain resort Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in nearby Edwards on June 30.

The five-time All-Star was in Colorado for knee surgery at a Vail clinic. In his only public comments on the case, Bryant told the Los Angeles Times he "would never do something like that."

Bryant attended the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on Wednesday, but he avoided the media in his first public appearance since his arrest. He sat in the audience smiling and laughing with his wife.

If charges are filed, Bryant would have to return to Colorado on Aug. 6.

The case has drawn national attention to this mountain town about 100 miles west of Denver.

Details of the case have been sealed under a court order.

Authorities have said both Bryant and his accuser went to hospitals after the alleged attack for tests.

Sheriff's deputies took Bryant to Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, about 40 miles west of the resort, early July 2. Sheriff's detective Doug Winters declined to say why but said Bryant was allowed to leave on his own because he had not been charged.

Authorities have said they are treating Bryant like any other suspect, though sheriff's investigators didn't reveal his arrest until July 6 -- two days after he was released on $25,000 bail.

Bryant's attorney in Denver, Pamela Mackey, has accused the sheriff's office of rushing the case against Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert's wishes.

Mackey was not in her office Thursday and a secretary said she would not be available until Monday.