Vanessa Bryant finally reacted to a tweet from actress Evan Rachel Wood in regards to the tragic death of Kobe Bryant.
Wood tweeted “what has happened is tragic. I am heartbroken for Kobe’s family. He was a sports hero. He was also a rapist. And all of these truths can exist simultaneously.” Bryant also responded to a tweet from film producer Abigail Disney who tweeted this on January 29th. “I haven’t said anything about Kobe so far because I felt some time needed to pass before weighing in. But yes, it’s time for the sledgehammer to come out. The man was a rapist. Deal with it.”
So Bryant posted a Instagram stories that said “your false insensitive defamatory and slanderous tweet on 01/26/20 vile and disturbing to say the least. Behavior like this is why innocent black men go to jail for crimes they didn’t commit. An accusation doesn’t make someone guilty. YOU DON’T KNOW THE FACTS OF THE CASE.” The same thing got said about Disney using the date of the 29th.
What are those facts that Bryant alludes to? His apology that couldn’t get used in the civil suit speaks volumes about what happened. Kobe says “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. After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter.
In other words Kobe now understands that the victim said “no.”
Yet interestingly enough when he first got interviewed by police Kobe lied about the encounter multiple times. He only admitted to it once he got made aware that the victim went for a physical exam. Then his story changed.
As for the criminal case it got dropped due to Kobe’s defense team slut shaming the victim, while also attacking her credibility due to mental illness, and then alleged leaks to the media.
With the incident happening in a small town Kobe supporters were out in full force as well. Many believing that the accuser was looking for a “payday.” There were also death threats as well. At one point a tabloid misidentified a young woman and incorrectly identified her as the victim. Leading to people posting yearbook pictures of her with messages that said “WHORE ALERT.”
So it really isn’t exactly shocking that the victim chose not to pursue the trial any further.
What Wood said was spot on. The news of Kobe’s death certainly was heartbreaking. Yet it doesn’t change what happened in Eagle, Colorado. Which makes what Wood tweeted nowhere near “defamatory or slanderous.”
Wood deleted her Twitter account. Disney’s is active and here’s a look at the responses from those supporting Kobe.
@abigaildisney watch your mouth speaking on Kobe like you knew or the case in Colorado. That’s the problem you woman looking for clout because your career is trash .
— Darryl Brooks (@dabrooks661) February 27, 2021
And she’s running around like she’s an ally to black ppl w/ fighting with us against social injustices/systematic racism. She labeled kobe a “rapist ” based on accusations. He wasn’t convicted. She did exactly what she’s been advocating against. Why? Bc her white privilege
— TariosWorld (@Chuckchewy1) February 27, 2021
How about the facts that people are aware of then? Media leaks, slut shaming, death threats meant for the victim or those prosecuting the case, and Kobe lying. So it’s really hard to justify him as innocent or being falsely accused since there was more than enough evidence that something did happen. Blind allegiances to Kobe or the Lakers doesn’t change that.
Trash article
Very insightful. Appreciate the feedback