Journalist suspended for tweet about 2003 Kobe Bryant rape case hours after his death

death of NBA great Kobe Bryant and his 13-year old daughter Gianna Bryant in a helicopter crash in California has left  entire sports fraternity shaken. While millions of fans across globe take to social media to pay ir tribute to late Lakers star, re are a few who raked up past allegations made against Bryant.

Felicia Sonmez, a reputed reporter for a major American publication, was suspended on Monday for a controversial post she uploaded on Twitter referencing 2003 Kobe Bryant rape case. She posted an article from 2016, n took it down following backlash, but t before a trend had been started against her seeking her dismissal from newspaper.

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Kobe Bryant sexual assault case

Kobe Bryant sexual assault case dates back to 2003 when player was just 25. Lakers star was accused of sexual assault by a 19-year old employee at Lodge and Spa at Cordillera in Edwards, Colorado. While Kobe Bryant denied any accusations of rape, he did accept that re was a sexual encounter that occurred between him and 19-year old lady.

At time of case, NBA star was married to high-school sweeart Felicia Sonmez and was faring his five-month-old daughter Gianna Bryant (who also passed away in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash).  case was dropped in 2004 after accuser decided against testifying while civil case she brought against him was settled out of court in 2005 for an undisclosed amount. Part of suit in Kobe Bryant rape case involved a public apology from Lakers star where he was quoted saying  “Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize w that she did t and does t view this incident same way I did. After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I w understand how she feels that she did t consent to this encounter.”

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