Kobe Bryant RIP

Rapist millionaire Kobe Bryant is no more. He and his 13-year-old daughter were among nine people who perished in a helicopter crash. He had a net worth of $600 million. I don't know what he paid the teenager he was accused of raping, but under Colorado law at the time, the most she could collect was $2.5 million. He bought his wife a $4 million diamond as an apology for what he claimed was perfectly consensual adultery.

I didn't follow the case. I didn't know who he was. Sports don't interest me. I'm sorry the guy's dead but I'm surprised at how long CNN's continuing coverage is going on.

After being dragged through the mud for months by the media and by Bryant's legal team, the girl dropped the charges before they went to trial on the condition that Bryant apologize. One of his lawyers read his statement in court:

First, I want to apologize directly to the young woman involved in this incident. I want to apologize to her for my behavior that night and for the consequences she has suffered in the past year. Although this year has been incredibly difficult for me personally, I can only imagine the pain she has had to endure. I also want to apologize to her parents and family members, and to my family and friends and supporters, and to the citizens of Eagle, Colo.I also want to make it clear that I do not question the motives of this young woman. No money has been paid to this woman. She has agreed that this statement will not be used against me in the civil case. 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.I issue this statement today fully aware that while one part of this case ends today, another remains. I understand that the civil case against me will go forward. That part of this case will be decided by and between the parties directly involved in the incident and will no longer be a financial or emotional drain on the citizens of the state of Colorado.

Remember all the mockery universities got when they called on students to actually ask permission before trying to have sex with fellow students? Seems like a pretty good idea. It could have saved Bryant a few million dollars.