In a decision on July 31st, the judge overseeing the Kobe Bryant case has ruled that Kobe must appear at the initial court appearance next week.

Judge Fred Gannett is the judge handling the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case. Both the defense lawyers for Kobe and the district attorney have requested that the files in this case remain private.

The charge is that Kobe, who is married and has a child, assaulted a 19 year old woman in a hotel. The woman's name has not been officially released. Kobe admits to having committed adultery, but says that the sex was consensual.

Kobe Bryant is a star basketball player with the Los Angeles Lakers. He is free on bail, and is currently scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, August 6, 2003.