SECRET expert witness?

Bryant judge criticizes late DNA challenge

EAGLE, Colo. - On the eve of Kobe Bryant’s rape trial, a frustrated judge chastised prosecutors Thursday for waiting until the last minute to challenge DNA evidence the defense says shows the accuser had sex with someone else hours after her encounter with the NBA star.

In an often-testy exchange, Judge Terry Ruckriegle told prosecutors he should deny their request for a hearing because it was likely to delay the trial, which begins Friday with jury selection. But he gave them until Tuesday to provide more information to help him make his decision. . . .

Prosecutor Dana Easter told [Judge] Ruckriegle that DNA test results from laboratories hired by Bryant’s attorneys indicate there was contamination in control samples intended to ensure accurate testing.

She said that threw into question the reliability of conclusions made by a defense DNA expert, Elizabeth Johnson, who has testified she believes the accuser had sex with someone else soon after her encounter with Bryant. The woman’s attorneys have denied that claim.

Easter said she could not have questioned the results earlier because the defense dragged its feet in providing information needed to evaluate DNA test results.

“We have acted as well as we can,” she said. “The prosecution has not had $12 million to pay for experts.”

Ruckriegle asked Easter whether prosecution experts had concerns with the statements and conclusions of the defense’s DNA experts. When she said her experts did have concerns, Ruckriegle asked her to identify them.

“I cannot at this time reveal who we are consulting with,” she said.

“Then I can’t evaluate it,” Ruckriegle responded.