latimes--2020-02-24--Kobe and Gigi Bryant memorial: Speeches recalled a bright daughter and devoted father

Jimmy Kimmel , Jennifer Lopez , Snoop Dogg among the celebs at Kobe Bryant memorial - 12 : 41 p.m. Jennifer Lopez ’ s face said it all while Vanessa Bryant spoke about daughter Gianna and husband Kobe Bryant during the memorial for the two held Monday .
Tears streamed down the entertainer ’ s face and her lower lip trembled as she tried to hold it together , boyfriend Alex Rodriguez by her side .
At the memorial , celebrities and sports stars dotted the floor seats at Staples Center .
Michael Jordan tells about Kobe Bryant and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grew up with four biological siblings , but he did not have a younger brother .
Late in his playing career , after he had emerged as arguably the greatest basketball player of all time , that changed for Jordan , whether he liked it at the time or not .
This kid , Kobe Bryant , was a teenage phenom with the Lakers , and he idolized Jordan .
What everyone could see , including Jordan , was that Kobe was also coming for his throne .
“ He was like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday ’ s Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center .
“ You know all of us have brothers , little brothers , little sisters , that for whatever reason tend to get in your stuff , your closets , your shoes , everything ... it was a nuisance , if I can use that word .
But that nuisance turned into love over a period of time , just because of the admiration they had for you , as big brothers , big sisters .
The questions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about life they were about to embark on ... he used to call me , text me , 11:30 , 2:30 , 3:30 in the morning , talking about post-up moves , footwork , and sometimes , the triangle [ offense ] .
At first , it was an aggravation .
“ But then it turned into a certain passion .
This kid had a passion like you would never know .
... What Kobe Bryant was for me was the inspiration that someone truly cared about the way I played the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play the game .
He wanted to be the best basketball player that he could be , and , as I got to know him , I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be.
” Jordan , fighting tears and wiping them from his face throughout his remembrance , spoke with his trademark honesty .
You could feel the tough love .
“ To do that , ” he continued , “ you had to put up with the aggravation , the late night calls or the dumb questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to know Kobe Bryant that he was just trying to be a better person , a better basketball player .
We talked about business , we talked about family , we talked about everything , and he was just trying to be a better person .
“ Now , he ’ s got me ...
I got to look at another crying meme for the next ... ” This “ Crying Jordan ” laughed , along with thousands in the arena .
“ I told my wife I wasn ’ t going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to see that for the next three or four years , ” he said .
“ That is what Kobe Bryant does to me .
He knows how to get to you in a way that effects you personally , even if he ’ s being a pain in the ass .
He can bring out the best in you , and he did that for me.
” Memorial viewing in Santa Ana brings people from as far as Alabama - 12:12 p.m. Hermelindo Saldana slowly walked inside the Santa Ana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ beanie in one hand and a blue thermos in the other as he made his way to the front , taking up on of the three single seats of room .
He sat quietly and stared at the large screen projector at the front that was live streaming the memorial of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter , Gianna .
Saldana , 50 , wished he was at the Staples Center , mourning with hundreds of others Lakers fans .
But he was unable to get tickets .
He also didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school .
When his children went to school in the morning , they even asked him if he was still going to try and go .
He told them no , not without them .
But at home , he didn ’ t want to be alone .
He didn ’ t want to mourn by himself in front of his tv in an apartment .
So he drove a mile to Santa Ana City Hall where the viewing of today ’ s memorial would be showing .
“ I wanted to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Saldana said Bryant ’ s death hit him hard .
More than 50 people attended the Kobe and Gianna Bryant memorial viewing at city hall .
They sat around in groups , in pairs , alone .
Some came with their little children .
They came from within Santa Ana and as far as Alabama .
Among them was Aleisha Levett , 36 , and Diana Isom , 22 .
The two women each spent about $ 1,000 or more just to be in California for today ’ s memorial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get tickets to attend the memorial at the Staples Center but were unable to .
Ism said she almost lost $ 170 to a scammer who was selling a ticket .
She was able to get $ 150 back .
“ There are people out there scamming off someone ’ s death , ” Isom said .
“ It ’ s craziness.
” The women arrived in Los Angeles from Alabama this weekend .
Walking around the room greeting people was Santa Ana Councilman Vicente Sarmiento .
He shook Saldana ’ s hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told him , he was glad the city had put together the event .
“ We have to be sad together but also be here to celebrate life together , ” Sarmiento told him .
Here ’ s that blue dress from ‘ The Notebook ’ that Kobe Bryant gave to Vanessa - 12:11 p.m. During a heartbreaking tribute to Kobe Bryant , his widow , Vanessa Bryant , tearfully remembered the gifts her late husband gave her years ago in a nod to the romantic 2004 film “ The Notebook , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At Monday ’ s memorial at Staples Center , Bryant honored the late basketball star as “ charismatic , ” “ adoring ” and “ loving.
” “ He was truly the romantic one in our relationship , ” Bryant said , adding that Kobe loved romantic comedies like “ Stepmom , ” “ Steel Magnolias ” and “ Little Women.
” Sabrina Ionescu talks about what Kobe Bryant meant to her - 12:11 p.m .
Growing up , I only knew one way to play the game of basketball : fierce with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I wanted to be the best .
I loved the work , even when it was hard , especially if it was hard .
I knew I was different , that my drive was different .
I grew up watching Kobe Bryant game after game ring after ring , living his greatness without apology .
I wanted to be just like him , to love every part of the competition , to be the first to show up and the last to leave , to love the grind , to be your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your best and make other people around you the best version of themselves .
And to wake up and do it again the next day .
So that ’ s what I did .
Wake up , grind and get better .
Wake up , grind and get better .
Read Geno Auriemma ’ s speech from the Kobe Bryant memorial - 11:56 a.m. “ We have some amazing women in this room and you just heard from three of them .
I ’ m Geno Auriemma the coach of the UConn women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people are going to talk about basketball today .
And I don ’ t know that that ’ s why I ’ m here .
I ’ m not here for the basketball court and tried to write a long flowing speech about basketball and I can ’ t do it .
There ’ s too many thoughts in my head .
Ever since Vanessa asked me to speak too many things that made me realize more that I ’ m here as a father , not as a basketball coach .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , very , we ’ re very , very emotional people right Mike , he ’ s half Italian .
So the thoughts that I started to have .
After I was asked to speak .
We ’ re obviously about all the people that were on board .
And if you ’ re a father , a grandfather .
You feel a different a different kind of emotion when there ’ s children involved .
Because this is always about the children .
We ’ ve lived our lives .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re just starting their lives .
And then my next thought came to the original team that Kobe was responsible for Natalia , Bianca , Capri , Vanessa .
Rob Pelinka says ‘ Kobe ’ s last human act was heroic ’ - 11:55 a.m .
Rob Pelinka was in church on the morning of Sunday Jan. 26 when he got a text message from his best friend , Kobe Bryant .
Bryant was asking Pelinka , his former agent , if he knew a baseball agent based in Southern California .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Celebration of Life ” for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on Monday morning , said he responded that he had just seen this agent at a Lakers ’ game and that he was happy to help him .
At just past 9:30 a.m. , Bryant told Pelinka that he wanted to help a daughter of a friend get an internship with a baseball agency .
Pelinka said he would put a plan in place to help him get that done .
“ A handful of minutes later , ” Pelinka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven other beautiful souls ascended into heaven .
Kobe had been texting me from the helicopter.
” Pelinka would later discover that the girl whom Bryant wanted to help was 16-year-old Alexis Altobelli , the surviving daughter of John and Keri Altobelli , who died in the Calabasas helicopter crash along with their daughter , Alyssa .
“ Kobe ’ s last human act was heroic , ” Pelinka said .
“ He wanted to use his platform to bless and shape a young girl ’ s future .
Hasn ’ t Kobe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” My name is Diana Taurasi .
Thanks , Jimmy .
You stole my first joke .
I am the “ White Mamba ” .
I would first like to offer my deepest condolences to all the families who ’ ve lost a loved one .
In 1996 , I was a lanky awkward freshman in high school , obsessively shooting night after night in my driveway .
On the nights the Lakers played , I wouldn ’ t miss a second of the game .
Every timeout , every commercial , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to imitate my favorite Laker , Kobe .
Read Vanessa Bryant ’ s words about Kobe Bryant at memorial - 11:42 a.m .
Okay .
Now for my soul mate .
Kobe was known as a fierce competitor on the basketball court .
The greatest of all time , a writer and Oscar winner , and the black mamba .
But to me , he was Kobe-Kobe , my boo-boo , my bay-boo .
My Papi chulo .
I was his Vivi his Principesa , his reina his queen Mamba .
and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t see him as a celebrity , nor just an incredible basketball player .
He was my sweet husband , and the beautiful Father of our children .
He was mine .
He was my everything .
Kobe and I have been together since I was 17 and a half years old .
I was his first girlfriend , his first love , his wife , his best friend .
His confidant , and his protector .
He was the most amazing husband Koby let me more than I could ever express @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the early bird , and I was the night owl .
I was fired he was ice and vice versa at times , we balanced each other out .
He would do anything for me .
I have no idea how I deserved a man that loved and wanted me more than Kobe .
He was charismatic , a gentleman .
He was loving adoring and romantic .
‘ White Mamba ’ Diana Taurasi talks Kobe , Gianna and love of basketball - 11:35 a.m. To remember the Black Mamba , the Bryant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Diana Taurasi , the WNBA superstar , was given that nickname by Kobe himself , and she took the stage at Staples Center on Monday morning after Vanessa Bryant to tell the story of how her love of Kobe drove her as a teenager with big basketball dreams while living in Chino .
“ He made it OK to play with an edge that borderlined crazy , ” Taurasi said .
Taurasi said she still ends every workout with an imitation of a classic Kobe game-winner .
“ Three hard dribbles going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , swing right leg through , elevate , square up , follow through , ” she said .
“ Five in a row , and I got to go home.
” Taurasi said 13-year-old Gianna “ represents the future of women ’ s basketball ” in that she was excited to play in the WNBA , not hoping to be the first female NBA player as Taurasi did in the mid-1990s .
“ She represents a time where a young girl doesn ’ t need permission to play , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taurasi said Gianna ’ s goal was to play college basketball at Connecticut , like Taurasi .
Read Vanessa Bryant ’ s emotional speech about her daughter Gianna - 11:16 a.m. “ Thank you .
Thank you all so much for being here .
Thanks so much to us .
First , I ’ d like to thank everyone for coming today , the outpouring of love and support that my family has felt from around the world has been so uplifting .
Thank you so much for all your prayers .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kobe and Gigi .
I ’ ll start with my baby girl first .
My baby girl Gianna Bryant is an amazingly sweet , gentle soul .
She was always thoughtful .
She always would kiss me goodnight , kiss me good morning .
There were a few occasions where I was absolutely tired from being up with Bianca and Capri .
And I thought she had left school without saying goodbye .
I would text and say no kiss ?
And Giana would reply with Mama , I kissed you .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to wake you .
She knew how much her morning and evening kisses meant to me , and she was so thoughtful to remember to kiss me every day .
Kobe Bryant ’ s special connection with Latinos inspired fan to design quinceañera dress - 11:12 a.m. Franchesca Flores , 43 , from Littleton Colorado , arrived at Staples Center dressed in a hand-painted purple ball gown with game images of shooting hoops .
Flores — whose business is commissioning and selling custom gowns for beauty pageants , quinceañeras and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and had it made by a tailor in Mexico because Kobe had done so much for the .
“ I want people to know he ’ s gone but he will be staying here forever , ” she said .
Read Jimmy Kimmel ’ s opening speech at Kobe and Gianna ’ s Bryant memorial - 11:07 a.m. “ Well you picked the wrong person to guide you through I ’ m going to tell you that right now .
I want to thank everyone for being here and thank you for gathering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her parents John and Keri Altobelli , and Payton Chester , her mother Sarah Chester , Christina Mauser , Ara Zobayan , Gigi Bryant , and her father , Kobe Bryant .
This is a sad day .
But it is also a celebration of life of their lives .
And of life itself in the building where those of us who are Lakers fans and Kobe fans celebrated so many of the best times of our lives .
And I ’ m honored to have been asked to speak here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ go directly to the Mamba [ & ] Mambacita Sports Foundation , which supports youth sports in underserved communities .
And I also encourage you to go to mambaonthree.org , to give to the Mamba On Three Fund , which was created to honor and provide financial support to the Chester , Altobelli , Zobayan and Mauser families .
I can only imagine how painful this is for them .
I don ’ t think any of us could have imagined this .
For so many , Gianna Bryant was a basketball player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making sure we know that this girl was so much , much , much more .
“ Gigi was sunshine .
She brightened up my day everyday , ” said Vanessa , showing a grace and poise that ’ s superhuman .
Here ’ s how Kobe memorial speaker Jimmy Kimmel remembered Bryant on his show - 10:53 a.m. Beyoncé kicks off Kobe Bryant memorial with one of his favorite songs - 10:51 a.m. Beyoncé , backed by a choir , kicked off the on Monday , capping a friendship that had lasted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost immediately and invited the audience to join her in song .
“ I ’ m here because I love Kobe .
And this was one of his favorite songs , ” Beyoncé said as she introduced a spectral rendition of “ XO , ” from her 2013 self-titled album .
“ In the darkest night hour ( in the darkest night hour ) / I ’ ll search through the crowd ( I ’ ll search through the crowd ) / Your face is all that I see , ” she sang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small choir all clad in white , before transitioning to “ Halo , ” a tearjerker from 2008 ’ s “ I Am ... Sasha Fierce.
” Fan travels across country to showcase customized casket with replica of Staples Center ’ s court - 10:50 a.m. Casketmaker Fletcher Collins drove his truck from Elizabeth City , N.C. to Los Angeles and parked outside of Staples Center to showcase a customized casket he created in tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant .
He unloaded the casket and soon after , fans crowded around to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of yellow and purple , and has replica NBA trophies on top .
Inside , it ’ s a replica of Staples Center ’ s court , even complete with a mini video board .
Collins said he prayed on the design , and God gave him the vision to complete it .
“ When He gave me the dream on it , that ’ s when everything started to unfold , ” said Collins , who ’ s been a casketmaker for three years .
It took about three days to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a week to dive it to L.A. , Collins said .
Every time they stopped to get gas , he said they received compliments from people .
“ I didn ’ t write anything down — it all came from God .
Three days later , this is what we finished.
” Beyoncé and Kobe Bryant went way back - 10:42 a.m. Beyoncé opened the Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant , performing the songs “ XO ” and “ Halo.
” Here ’ s what Beyoncé had to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her longtime friend .
“ I will continue to diligently pray for your Queens .
You are deeply missed beloved Kobe , ” she wrote of Bryant , who appeared in the video for the Destiny ’ s Child song “ Bug A Boo ” and rapped on a remix of the group ’ s song “ Say My Name.
” Vanessa Bryant and her daughters enter to standing ovation - 10:37 a.m .
When Vanessa Bryant and her three daughters entered Staples Center , the crowd , anxiously awaiting the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Celebration of Life ” on Monday morning , honored them with a standing ovation .
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka , Kobe ’ s one-time agent and close friend , accompanied the Bryant family to their seats .
Beyoncé performs as many of the greatest names in NBA history attend Kobe Bryant ’ s memorial - 10:24 a.m .
The list of basketball dignitaries that have filed into Staples Center and are taking their seats for the “ Kobe and Gianna Bryant Celebration of Life ” on Monday morning continues to grow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abdul-Jabbar , Phil Jackson , Magic Johnson , Jerry West , Elgin Baylor , Tim Duncan , Shaquille O ’ Neal , Dwyane Wade , Tony Parker , Gregg Popovich , Doc Rivers , Steph Curry , James Harden , Byron Scott , Lamar Odom , Vlade Divac , Devin Booker and NBA commissioner Adam Silver .
Beyoncé performed the first song of the memorial service .
Memorial set to start at 10:30 a.m. after slight delay - 10:22 a.m. Sabrina Ionescu remembers her mentor , Kobe Bryant , in an open letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out about Kobe Bryant ’ s death last month , the Oregon basketball star wondered what she was going to do without the guidance of .
Ionescu also asked herself what she describes as an “ angrier ” question : “ How could the world have brought me together with someone like Kobe , someone who understood me so well — maybe the first person in my life who truly got me on this deeper basketball level — only to then rip him out of my life after less than a year ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It just felt cruel , ” Ionescu wrote on .
“ It still feels that way.
” Ionescu ’ s open letter was posted Monday , the same day a public memorial was held for Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter , Gianna — two of the nine people who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas last month — at Staples Center .
She wrote that her memories of Bryant have helped her deal with those angry thoughts and realize there was definitely a reason their lives intersected , even for such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive special program honoring Kobe and Gianna Bryant - 10:12 a.m. Long lines at Staples Center as attendees wait to enter memorial - 10:05 a.m. Admirer to release 26 doves in honor of Kobe and Gianna - 9:54 a.m. Alexander Vazquez of West Los Angeles brought 26 doves — 24 for Kobe and two for Gianna — he plans to release at 9:55 a.m .
The birds are from a family business and they are usually set off for weddings and funerals , he said .
This time it ’ s personal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own .
“ This is a free event for me , ” Vazquez said .
“ I always wanted a dad like him .
I had a drunk dad three but not there .
Kobe was the complete opposite of that.
” Vazquez said he is also trying to be a different dad for his 10-year-old daughter .
As mourners gathered at Staples Center on Monday for a memorial service celebrate the lives of Kobe and Gianna Bryant , attorneys for Vanessa Bryant filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that operated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed the lives of her husband , daughter and seven other people .
The complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Island Express Helicopters and Island Express Holding Corp. alleged that pilot Ara Zobayan , who also died in the crash , failed “ to use ordinary care in piloting the subject aircraft ” and was “ negligent.
” Inside Staples Center , red flowers and photos of Kobe Byrant ’ s family decorated center court - 9:30 a.m. As people trickled inside the Staples Center , they were greeted by center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ images of on the overheard video board .
The mood outside the arena was like a subdued game day , but inside it had the reverence of a church with Alicia Keys ’ music .
Ray and LaVonna King took the train from San Diego at dawn to celebrate the life of a family hero .
The Kings picked up their programs , pins and t-shirts with Kobe and Giana ’ s numbers on the back and entered the arena .
“ It is just an awesome honor to be able to here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a t-shirt recapping Kobe ’ s career statistics .
“ But it a sad day for everyone to come together and say their prayers for the families , ” said Ray King .
“ It is going to be a hard day for everyone involved.
” Fans pay tribute to late Kobe Bryant before memorial - 8:55 a.m .
Hours before Staples Center opened its doors to begin its memorial for the , fans paid tribute to the basketball superstar .
Ozzie Arnold drove his pickup truck with a trailer from Wilmington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocks from Staples Center .
Later , he unloaded a personalized golf cart with a lift kit and large tires with purple and yellow rims .
The base of the cart was purple with a Lakers logo and No.32 and No.24 on the hood , symbolizing the jersey numbers of Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant .
Arnold , 66 , said he was devastated the day .
He had been working on the golf cart for about 6 years , but never had a chance to ride it around in public .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do this , ” he said .
“ Every other day it ’ s covered up.
” So he grabbed his dog and drove along the perimeter of Staples Center , capturing much of the crowds attention .
He said he intends to do it in Bryant ’ s memory and to lighten the mood of the day .
“ It ’ s Kobe Day , ” he said .
“ It ’ s the last day we have to celebrate his life .
It ’ s a sad day , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arriving for memorial greeted with gifts - 8:48 a.m .
Guests arriving for the “ Celebration of Life ” for Kobe and Gigi Bryant were greeted with gifts this morning upon arriving at the gate .
As well as a T-shirt feauring Kobe and Gigi , there was a program full of photos and a special ticket : Section 8 , Row 24 , Seat 2 .
There was also a commemorative “ KB ” pin .
Attendees at Kobe and Gigi Bryant memorial receive special t-shirt - 8:45 a.m. Ben Morrison drove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend Kobe Bryant ’ s memorial service , which was extra personal to him compared to others .
The 21-year-old attended Bryant ’ s church , and remembers seeing him all the time , but didn ’ t talk to him as often as he wanted .
The one he had with him happened during an Independence Day holiday , when he saw Bryant buy $ 40 worth of fireworks .
Morrison said Bryant gave the cashier a $ 100 bill and told him to “ keep the change.
” He also remembers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He was a baller , ” Morrison said as he walked toward Staples Center in a yellow No.8 , Bryant ’ s Lakers jersey .
Morrison got a $ 24 ticket to the event , and said it was important for him to come so he could get closure .
“ I think it ’ s powerful to come here with so many different people who are feeling the same way I ’ m feeling.
” Thousands of fans wait in line outside Staples Center for Kobe Bryant memorial - 8:16 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning outside the doors of the house that built clad in black , purple and gold .
They stood almost silent , respectful .
It wasn ’ t like a game day .
Berly Schwartz accompanied by her son Bun Garcia stood in line outside Staples Center , her voice breaking as she spoke .
“ I am just so emotional , ” she said , showing pictures on her cellphone of her husband , Sam Schwartz , with a framed Kobe 24 shirt .
“ I came to Kobe ’ s games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago .
He loved Kobe and the Lakers.
” “ I think of the families .
It is so hard for them , ” she said .
“ My husband and I come to a lot of Kobe ’ s games .
We ’ d get tickets through brokers.
” “ I feel numb still , ” said her son Bun of Anaheim , clad in his Lakers jacket .
“ I don ’ t know if the numbness will ever go away for L.A. ” He said “ at first people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kobe isn ’ t dead .
Today really brings home the reality.
” For Berly and Bun , Bryant was part of the life they loved with Sam .
“ My husband would be so mad to lose Kobe , ” she said .
The crowd outside Staples waiting in line was subdued , many wearing black with the colors of the .
Rosa Arangure drove all the way from San Diego and was dressed for a funeral and could barely speak as a tear rolled down her cheek from behind her dark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for everyone , ” Arangure said .
“ Right now people are around the families but it will get difficult for them in the months .
It is difficult for all Lakers fans to accept what happened.
” Arangure said her niece was hoping to play with Gianna Bryant one day .
Security is tight around Staples Center - 8:02 a.m. Security is pretty tight .
I had my ticket checked five times before I got in front of Staples Center .
There are lines of at least 50 people deep at every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you have a Kobe Bryant jersey , you ’ re wearing it today .
Purple , gold , white , black — if it has No .
8 or No .
24 on it and the name “ Bryant ” on the back , that ’ s what you have on — fewer people wearing black than you might expect .
Kobe Bryant memorial will honor Lakers legend ’ s career with more than 33,000 roses - 7:20 a.m .
Details regarding the Kobe Bryant memorial at Staples Center are starting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the more visually stunning aspects of the service , the placement of more than 33,000 roses around the center stage will symbolize each of the points the Lakers legend scored during his career .
So far , the scene at L.A. Live is pretty quiet .
Ticket holders for the memorial will be allowed into Staples Center at 8 a.m .
Fans urged to avoid Staples Center unless they have a ticket - 6:41 a.m. Out of respect for the family of Kobe Bryant and the eight others killed last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans are being urged by police to stay away from Staples Center during Monday ’ s memorial unless they have a ticket .
LAPD Chief Michel Moore said Friday that unless visitors to the downtown Los Angeles venue were among the 20,000 ticketed mourners , which begins at 10 a.m. , they would not be allowed into the surrounding area , including L.A. Live .

At Staples Center, center court featured roses and the overhead video board showed photos of the Bryant family. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Mourners, many of them in Lakers jerseys, watch the proceedings. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma, among the speakers, said, “I’m here as a father, not as a basketball coach.” (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka spoke during the vigil of receiving a text from Kobe Bryant the morning of the crash, trying to arrange an internship for Lexi Altobelli, whose mother, father and sister died in the helicopter crash that also claimed the lives of Bryant and his daughter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
WNBA superstar Diana Taurasi, whom Kobe Bryant called the “White Mamba,” talked about the Lakers superstar and his influence. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)
Phil Jackson, former coach of the Lakers, is among mourners at Monday’s event. (Wally Sklaij / Los Angeles Times)
Shaquille O’Neal brought smiles to the crowd as he shared memories of Kobe. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Michael Jordan helps Vanessa Bryant off the stage after her speech. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Vanessa Bryant speaks at the memorial for her husband, Kobe Bryant, and daughter Gianna on Monday at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Follow Kobe Bryant’s memorial live with a team of Los Angeles Times reporters inside Staples Center.
Rewatch the memorial here:
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Jimmy Kimmel, Jennifer Lopez, Snoop Dogg among the celebs at Kobe Bryant memorial - 12: 41 p.m.
LOS ANGELES, CA., Alicia Keys performs at The Kobe & Gianna Bryant Celebration of Life on Monday at Staples Center on Monday 24, 2020 (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times/Los Angeles Times)
Jennifer Lopez’s face said it all while Vanessa Bryant spoke about daughter Gianna and husband Kobe Bryant during the memorial for the two held Monday.
Tears streamed down the entertainer’s face and her lower lip trembled as she tried to hold it together, boyfriend Alex Rodriguez by her side.
At the memorial, celebrities and sports stars dotted the floor seats at Staples Center.
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— Christie D’Zurilla
Michael Jordan tells about Kobe Bryant and their brotherly love - 12:32 p.m.
Retired US basketball player Michael Jordan cries as he speaks during the “Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant” service at Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles on February 24, 2020. - Kobe Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the rugged hills west of Los Angeles on January 26. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)
Michael Jordan grew up with four biological siblings, but he did not have a younger brother.
Late in his playing career, after he had emerged as arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, that changed for Jordan, whether he liked it at the time or not. This kid, Kobe Bryant, was a teenage phenom with the Lakers, and he idolized Jordan. What everyone could see, including Jordan, was that Kobe was also coming for his throne.
“He was like a little brother,” Jordan said during Monday’s Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center. “You know all of us have brothers, little brothers, little sisters, that for whatever reason tend to get in your stuff, your closets, your shoes, everything ... it was a nuisance, if I can use that word. But that nuisance turned into love over a period of time, just because of the admiration they had for you, as big brothers, big sisters. The questions, the wanting to know every little detail about life they were about to embark on ... he used to call me, text me, 11:30, 2:30, 3:30 in the morning, talking about post-up moves, footwork, and sometimes, the triangle [offense]. At first, it was an aggravation.
“But then it turned into a certain passion. This kid had a passion like you would never know. ... What Kobe Bryant was for me was the inspiration that someone truly cared about the way I played the game or the way that he wanted to play the game. He wanted to be the best basketball player that he could be, and, as I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be.”
Jordan, fighting tears and wiping them from his face throughout his remembrance, spoke with his trademark honesty. You could feel the tough love.
“To do that,” he continued, “you had to put up with the aggravation, the late night calls or the dumb questions. I took great pride as I got to know Kobe Bryant that he was just trying to be a better person, a better basketball player. We talked about business, we talked about family, we talked about everything, and he was just trying to be a better person.
“Now, he’s got me ... I got to look at another crying meme for the next ...”
This “Crying Jordan” laughed, along with thousands in the arena.
“I told my wife I wasn’t going to do this because I didn’t want to see that for the next three or four years,” he said. “That is what Kobe Bryant does to me. He knows how to get to you in a way that effects you personally, even if he’s being a pain in the ass. He can bring out the best in you, and he did that for me.”
— J. Brady McCollough
Shaq shares witty encounter with Kobe Bryant - 12:32 p.m.
Shaq delivers the biggest smiles of the night with this: Shaq: "Kobe, there's no 'I' in team"#Kobe: "There's a 'm-e' in that motherfucker” — Richard Winton (@LAcrimes) February 24, 2020
Memorial viewing in Santa Ana brings people from as far as Alabama - 12:12 p.m.
Hermelindo Saldana slowly walked inside the Santa Ana Council Chambers. He held his Lakers’ beanie in one hand and a blue thermos in the other as he made his way to the front, taking up on of the three single seats of room.
He sat quietly and stared at the large screen projector at the front that was live streaming the memorial of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.
Saldana, 50, wished he was at the Staples Center, mourning with hundreds of others Lakers fans. But he was unable to get tickets. He also didn’t want his three children to skip school.
When his children went to school in the morning, they even asked him if he was still going to try and go. He told them no, not without them.
But at home, he didn’t want to be alone. He didn’t want to mourn by himself in front of his tv in an apartment. So he drove a mile to Santa Ana City Hall where the viewing of today’s memorial would be showing.
“I wanted to be be sad with others,” he said. Saldana said Bryant’s death hit him hard.
At Santa Ana Council Chambers, people greet one another as as Jimmy Kimmel instructed at #kobememorial pic.twitter.com/yGRkGtWyzT — Ruben Vives (@LATvives) February 24, 2020
More than 50 people attended the Kobe and Gianna Bryant memorial viewing at city hall. They sat around in groups, in pairs, alone. Some came with their little children.
They came from within Santa Ana and as far as Alabama.
Among them was Aleisha Levett, 36, and Diana Isom, 22. The two women each spent about $1,000 or more just to be in California for today’s memorial.
Initially, the women were trying to get tickets to attend the memorial at the Staples Center but were unable to.
Ism said she almost lost $170 to a scammer who was selling a ticket. She was able to get $150 back.
“There are people out there scamming off someone’s death,” Isom said. “It’s craziness.”
The women arrived in Los Angeles from Alabama this weekend.
Walking around the room greeting people was Santa Ana Councilman Vicente Sarmiento. He shook Saldana’s hand and thanked him for coming. Saldana told him, he was glad the city had put together the event.
“We have to be sad together but also be here to celebrate life together,” Sarmiento told him.
— Ruben Vives
Here’s that blue dress from ‘The Notebook’ that Kobe Bryant gave to Vanessa - 12:11 p.m.
During a heartbreaking tribute to Kobe Bryant, his widow, Vanessa Bryant, tearfully remembered the gifts her late husband gave her years ago in a nod to the romantic 2004 film “The Notebook,” starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.
At Monday’s memorial at Staples Center, Bryant honored the late basketball star as “charismatic,” “adoring” and “loving.”
“He was truly the romantic one in our relationship,” Bryant said, adding that Kobe loved romantic comedies like “Stepmom,” “Steel Magnolias” and “Little Women.”
READ MORE >>>
— Dorany Pineda
Sabrina Ionescu talks about what Kobe Bryant meant to her - 12:11 p.m.
Growing up, I only knew one way to play the game of basketball: fierce with obsessive focus. I was unapologetically competitive. I wanted to be the best. I loved the work, even when it was hard, especially if it was hard.
I knew I was different, that my drive was different. I grew up watching Kobe Bryant game after game ring after ring, living his greatness without apology. I wanted to be just like him, to love every part of the competition, to be the first to show up and the last to leave, to love the grind, to be your best when you don’t feel your best and make other people around you the best version of themselves. And to wake up and do it again the next day.
So that’s what I did. Wake up, grind and get better. Wake up, grind and get better.
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Read Geno Auriemma’s speech from the Kobe Bryant memorial - 11:56 a.m.
LOS ANGELES, CA., Geno Auriemma speaks at the Kobe & Gianna Bryant Celebration of Life on Monday at Staples Center on Monday 24, 2020 (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times/Los Angeles Times)
“We have some amazing women in this room and you just heard from three of them. I’m Geno Auriemma the coach of the UConn women’s basketball program.
A lot of people are going to talk about basketball today. And I don’t know that that’s why I’m here. I’m not here for the basketball court and tried to write a long flowing speech about basketball and I can’t do it. There’s too many thoughts in my head. Ever since Vanessa asked me to speak too many things that made me realize more that I’m here as a father, not as a basketball coach. And us Italians as these just shows you, very, we’re very, very emotional people right Mike, he’s half Italian.
So the thoughts that I started to have. After I was asked to speak. We’re obviously about all the people that were on board. And if you’re a father, a grandfather. You feel a different a different kind of emotion when there’s children involved. Because this is always about the children. We’ve lived our lives. We have a little bit left, they’re just starting their lives. And then my next thought came to the original team that Kobe was responsible for Natalia, Bianca, Capri, Vanessa.
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Rob Pelinka says ‘Kobe’s last human act was heroic’ - 11:55 a.m.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka speaks during The Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Rob Pelinka was in church on the morning of Sunday Jan. 26 when he got a text message from his best friend, Kobe Bryant.
Bryant was asking Pelinka, his former agent, if he knew a baseball agent based in Southern California. Pelinka, telling this story at the “Celebration of Life” for Kobe and Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on Monday morning, said he responded that he had just seen this agent at a Lakers’ game and that he was happy to help him.
At just past 9:30 a.m., Bryant told Pelinka that he wanted to help a daughter of a friend get an internship with a baseball agency. Pelinka said he would put a plan in place to help him get that done.
“A handful of minutes later,” Pelinka said, “Kobe and Gianna and seven other beautiful souls ascended into heaven. Kobe had been texting me from the helicopter.”
Pelinka would later discover that the girl whom Bryant wanted to help was 16-year-old Alexis Altobelli, the surviving daughter of John and Keri Altobelli, who died in the Calabasas helicopter crash along with their daughter, Alyssa.
“Kobe’s last human act was heroic,” Pelinka said. “He wanted to use his platform to bless and shape a young girl’s future. Hasn’t Kobe done that for all of us?”
— J. Brady McCollough
Read WNBA star Diana Taurasi’s words about Kobe Bryant - 11:47 a.m.
My name is Diana Taurasi.
Thanks, Jimmy. You stole my first joke. I am the “White Mamba”.
I would first like to offer my deepest condolences to all the families who’ve lost a loved one. In 1996, I was a lanky awkward freshman in high school, obsessively shooting night after night in my driveway. On the nights the Lakers played, I wouldn’t miss a second of the game. Every timeout, every commercial, I’d run to the front yard to imitate my favorite Laker, Kobe.
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Read Vanessa Bryant’s words about Kobe Bryant at memorial - 11:42 a.m.
Vanessa Bryant at the Kobe & Gianna Bryant ‘Celebration of Life’ ceremony at Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times/Los Angeles Times)
Okay. Now for my soul mate. Kobe was known as a fierce competitor on the basketball court. The greatest of all time, a writer and Oscar winner, and the black mamba. But to me, he was Kobe-Kobe, my boo-boo, my bay-boo. My Papi chulo. I was his Vivi his Principesa, his reina his queen Mamba. and is the Friski-mineski, dabeli-ski. I couldn’t see him as a celebrity, nor just an incredible basketball player.
He was my sweet husband, and the beautiful Father of our children. He was mine. He was my everything. Kobe and I have been together since I was 17 and a half years old. I was his first girlfriend, his first love, his wife, his best friend. His confidant, and his protector. He was the most amazing husband Koby let me more than I could ever express or put into words. He was the early bird, and I was the night owl. I was fired he was ice and vice versa at times,we balanced each other out. He would do anything for me. I have no idea how I deserved a man that loved and wanted me more than Kobe. He was charismatic, a gentleman. He was loving adoring and romantic.
READ MORE >>
‘White Mamba’ Diana Taurasi talks Kobe, Gianna and love of basketball - 11:35 a.m.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 24: Diana Taurasi speaks during The Celebration of Life for Kobe & Gianna Bryant at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
To remember the Black Mamba, the Bryant family turned to the “White Mamba.”
Diana Taurasi, the WNBA superstar, was given that nickname by Kobe himself, and she took the stage at Staples Center on Monday morning after Vanessa Bryant to tell the story of how her love of Kobe drove her as a teenager with big basketball dreams while living in Chino.
“He made it OK to play with an edge that borderlined crazy,” Taurasi said.
Taurasi said she still ends every workout with an imitation of a classic Kobe game-winner.
“Three hard dribbles going right, left foot plant, pivot, swing right leg through, elevate, square up, follow through,” she said. “Five in a row, and I got to go home.”
Taurasi said 13-year-old Gianna “represents the future of women’s basketball” in that she was excited to play in the WNBA, not hoping to be the first female NBA player as Taurasi did in the mid-1990s.
“She represents a time where a young girl doesn’t need permission to play,” she said. “Her skill would command respect.”
Taurasi said Gianna’s goal was to play college basketball at Connecticut, like Taurasi.
— J. Brady McCollough
Video: Kobe Bryant calls Diana Taurasi the ‘White Mamba’ - 11:17 a.m.
Read Vanessa Bryant’s emotional speech about her daughter Gianna - 11:16 a.m.
“Thank you. Thank you all so much for being here. Thanks so much to us. First, I’d like to thank everyone for coming today, the outpouring of love and support that my family has felt from around the world has been so uplifting. Thank you so much for all your prayers.
I’d like to talk about both Kobe and Gigi. I’ll start with my baby girl first. My baby girl Gianna Bryant is an amazingly sweet, gentle soul. She was always thoughtful. She always would kiss me goodnight, kiss me good morning.
There were a few occasions where I was absolutely tired from being up with Bianca and Capri. And I thought she had left school without saying goodbye. I would text and say no kiss? And Giana would reply with Mama, I kissed you. You were asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you. She knew how much her morning and evening kisses meant to me, and she was so thoughtful to remember to kiss me every day.
READ MORE >>
Kobe Bryant’s special connection with Latinos inspired fan to design quinceañera dress - 11:12 a.m.
Franchesca Flores, 43, from Littleton Colorado, arrived at Staples Center dressed in a hand-painted purple ball gown with game images of Kobe and Gianna Bryant shooting hoops.
Flores — whose business is commissioning and selling custom gowns for beauty pageants, quinceañeras and other events — said she designed the dress and had it made by a tailor in Mexico because Kobe had done so much for the Latinx community .
“I want people to know he’s gone but he will be staying here forever,” she said.
Franchesca Flores, 43, of Littleton Colorado arrived outside Staples Center in a hand-painted purple ball gown with images of Kobe and Gianna Bryant shooting hoops. (Gale Holland)
— Gale Holland
Read Jimmy Kimmel’s opening speech at Kobe and Gianna’s Bryant memorial - 11:07 a.m.
“Well you picked the wrong person to guide you through I’m going to tell you that right now. I want to thank everyone for being here and thank you for gathering to celebrate the lives of Alyssa Altobelli. Her parents John and Keri Altobelli, and Payton Chester, her mother Sarah Chester, Christina Mauser, Ara Zobayan, Gigi Bryant, and her father, Kobe Bryant.
This is a sad day. But it is also a celebration of life of their lives. And of life itself in the building where those of us who are Lakers fans and Kobe fans celebrated so many of the best times of our lives. And I’m honored to have been asked to speak here. The proceeds from the tickets you bought go directly to the Mamba [&] Mambacita Sports Foundation, which supports youth sports in underserved communities.
And I also encourage you to go to mambaonthree.org, to give to the Mamba On Three Fund, which was created to honor and provide financial support to the Chester, Altobelli, Zobayan and Mauser families. I can only imagine how painful this is for them. I don’t think any of us could have imagined this.
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Vanessa Bryant calls daughter Gigi ‘our shepherd’ - 11:05 a.m.
For so many, Gianna Bryant was a basketball player. Her mother, Vanessa, is making sure we know that this girl was so much, much, much more.
“Gigi was sunshine. She brightened up my day everyday,” said Vanessa, showing a grace and poise that’s superhuman.
Vanessa added: “She was our shepherd.”
— Dan Woike
Here’s how Kobe memorial speaker Jimmy Kimmel remembered Bryant on his show - 10:53 a.m.
Beyoncé kicks off Kobe Bryant memorial with one of his favorite songs - 10:51 a.m.
Beyoncé, backed by a choir, kicked off the Kobe Bryant memorial on Monday, capping a friendship that had lasted for decades. But she stopped singing almost immediately and invited the audience to join her in song.
“I’m here because I love Kobe. And this was one of his favorite songs,” Beyoncé said as she introduced a spectral rendition of “XO,” from her 2013 self-titled album.
“In the darkest night hour (in the darkest night hour) / I’ll search through the crowd (I’ll search through the crowd) / Your face is all that I see,” she sang, surrounded by string players and a small choir all clad in white, before transitioning to “Halo,” a tearjerker from 2008’s “I Am ... Sasha Fierce.”
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— Christie D’Zurilla
Fan travels across country to showcase customized casket with replica of Staples Center’s court - 10:50 a.m.
Casketmaker Fletcher Collins drove his truck from Elizabeth City, N.C. to Los Angeles and parked outside of Staples Center to showcase a customized casket he created in tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant.
He unloaded the casket and soon after, fans crowded around to take pictures.
The casket has splashes of yellow and purple, and has replica NBA trophies on top. Inside, it’s a replica of Staples Center’s court, even complete with a mini video board.
More custom work. The owner, Eddie Reuiz, said he and his friends started on this the day after Kobe died. The Lamborghini, which he bought last year, was originally white. pic.twitter.com/d7DIa8bpqa — Emmanuel Morgan (@_EmmanuelMorgan) February 24, 2020
Collins said he prayed on the design, and God gave him the vision to complete it.
“When He gave me the dream on it, that’s when everything started to unfold,” said Collins, who’s been a casketmaker for three years.
It took about three days to build the piece, and then it took about a week to dive it to L.A., Collins said. Every time they stopped to get gas, he said they received compliments from people.
“I didn’t write anything down — it all came from God. Three days later, this is what we finished.”
— Emmanuel Morgan
Beyoncé and Kobe Bryant went way back - 10:42 a.m.
Beyoncé opened the Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant, performing the songs “XO” and “Halo.”
Here’s what Beyoncé had to say on Instagram following the Jan. 26 death of her longtime friend.
“I will continue to diligently pray for your Queens. You are deeply missed beloved Kobe,” she wrote of Bryant, who appeared in the video for the Destiny’s Child song “Bug A Boo” and rapped on a remix of the group’s song “Say My Name.”
— Chuck Schilken
Vanessa Bryant and her daughters enter to standing ovation - 10:37 a.m.
When Vanessa Bryant and her three daughters entered Staples Center, the crowd, anxiously awaiting the start of the Kobe and Gianna Bryant “Celebration of Life” on Monday morning, honored them with a standing ovation.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, Kobe’s one-time agent and close friend, accompanied the Bryant family to their seats.
— J. Brady McCollough
Beyoncé performs as many of the greatest names in NBA history attend Kobe Bryant’s memorial - 10:24 a.m.
The list of basketball dignitaries that have filed into Staples Center and are taking their seats for the “Kobe and Gianna Bryant Celebration of Life” on Monday morning continues to grow.
So far: Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Phil Jackson, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich, Doc Rivers, Steph Curry, James Harden, Byron Scott, Lamar Odom, Vlade Divac, Devin Booker and NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
Beyoncé performed the first song of the memorial service.
“I’m here because I love Kobe” - Beyoncé — Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) February 24, 2020
— J. Brady McCollough
Memorial set to start at 10:30 a.m. after slight delay - 10:22 a.m.
Today’s Kobe & Gigi memorial is slated to start at 10:30 a.m. Here’s a sign warning guests against photography and video recording. pic.twitter.com/rhtyVXrCCi — L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) February 24, 2020
Sabrina Ionescu remembers her mentor, Kobe Bryant, in an open letter - 10:18 a.m
When Sabrina Ionescu found out about Kobe Bryant’s death last month, the Oregon basketball star wondered what she was going to do without the guidance of the man she considered a mentor .
Ionescu also asked herself what she describes as an “angrier” question: “How could the world have brought me together with someone like Kobe, someone who understood me so well — maybe the first person in my life who truly got me on this deeper basketball level — only to then rip him out of my life after less than a year?! And why?!”
“It just felt cruel,” Ionescu wrote on the Players’ Tribune . “It still feels that way.”
Ionescu’s open letter was posted Monday, the same day a public memorial was held for Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna — two of the nine people who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas last month — at Staples Center. She wrote that her memories of Bryant have helped her deal with those angry thoughts and realize there was definitely a reason their lives intersected, even for such a short time.
READ MORE >>>
— Chuck Schilken
Attendees at memorial to receive special program honoring Kobe and Gianna Bryant - 10:12 a.m.
They only printed 20,000 copies of the program for today’s Kobe & Gigi memorial for those in attendance at Staples Center so here’s a thread of what it looks like for those unable to attend. pic.twitter.com/m7ID4WYplA — L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) February 24, 2020
Long lines at Staples Center as attendees wait to enter memorial - 10:05 a.m.
The Kobe and Gianna Bryant memorial at Staples Center is set to commence at 10 AM. There are still thousands of mourners lined up outside waiting to get in.
Follow for live updates: https://t.co/w1rkN7DlIi pic.twitter.com/pPY1gxKsIq — Los Angeles Times (@latimes) February 24, 2020
Admirer to release 26 doves in honor of Kobe and Gianna - 9:54 a.m.
Alexander Vazquez of West Los Angeles brought 26 doves — 24 for Kobe and two for Gianna — he plans to release at 9:55 a.m.
The birds are from a family business and they are usually set off for weddings and funerals, he said.
This time it’s personal and he’s doing it on his own.
“This is a free event for me,” Vazquez said. “I always wanted a dad like him. I had a drunk dad three but not there. Kobe was the complete opposite of that.”
Vazquez said he is also trying to be a different dad for his 10-year-old daughter.
— Gale Holland
Vanessa Bryant files wrongful death lawsuit against helicopter operator - 9:51 a.m.
As mourners gathered at Staples Center on Monday for a memorial service celebrate the lives of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, attorneys for Vanessa Bryant filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that operated the helicopter that crashed last month and claimed the lives of her husband, daughter and seven other people.
The complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Island Express Helicopters and Island Express Holding Corp. alleged that pilot Ara Zobayan, who also died in the crash, failed “to use ordinary care in piloting the subject aircraft” and was “negligent.”
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— Nathan Fenno
Inside Staples Center, red flowers and photos of Kobe Byrant’s family decorated center court - 9:30 a.m.
As people trickled inside the Staples Center, they were greeted by center court stage surrounded with red flowers and images of Kobe Bryant and his family on the overheard video board.
The mood outside the arena was like a subdued game day, but inside it had the reverence of a church with Alicia Keys’ music.
Ray and LaVonna King took the train from San Diego at dawn to celebrate the life of a family hero. The Kings picked up their programs, pins and t-shirts with Kobe and Giana’s numbers on the back and entered the arena.
“It is just an awesome honor to be able to here,” said LaVonna King, clad in a t-shirt recapping Kobe’s career statistics.
“But it a sad day for everyone to come together and say their prayers for the families,” said Ray King. “It is going to be a hard day for everyone involved.”
— Richard Winton
Fans pay tribute to late Kobe Bryant before memorial - 8:55 a.m.
Hours before Staples Center opened its doors to begin its memorial for the late Kobe Bryant , fans paid tribute to the basketball superstar.
Ozzie Arnold drove his pickup truck with a trailer from Wilmington, Calif. and parked it a few blocks from Staples Center. Later, he unloaded a personalized golf cart with a lift kit and large tires with purple and yellow rims.
The base of the cart was purple with a Lakers logo and No.32 and No.24 on the hood, symbolizing the jersey numbers of Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant.
Spotted outside of Staples Center. pic.twitter.com/n1LCPxXbE1 — Emmanuel Morgan (@_EmmanuelMorgan) February 24, 2020
Arnold, 66, said he was devastated the day Bryant died . He had been working on the golf cart for about 6 years, but never had a chance to ride it around in public.
“This is the one day I could do this,” he said. “Every other day it’s covered up.”
So he grabbed his dog and drove along the perimeter of Staples Center, capturing much of the crowds attention. He said he intends to do it in Bryant’s memory and to lighten the mood of the day.
“It’s Kobe Day,” he said. “It’s the last day we have to celebrate his life. It’s a sad day, but it’s a happy day.”
— Emmanuel Morgan
Guests arriving for memorial greeted with gifts - 8:48 a.m.
A look at the gifts given to those in attendance at the Kobe and Gigi Bryant “Celebration of Life” at Staples Center. (Dan Woike / Los Angeles Times)
Guests arriving for the “Celebration of Life” for Kobe and Gigi Bryant were greeted with gifts this morning upon arriving at the gate.
As well as a T-shirt feauring Kobe and Gigi, there was a program full of photos and a special ticket: Section 8, Row 24, Seat 2. There was also a commemorative “KB” pin.
— Broderick Turner
Attendees at Kobe and Gigi Bryant memorial receive special t-shirt - 8:45 a.m.
Mourners arriving at Staples receive a t shirt w #Kobe & #giannabryant images plus a program and ticket pic.twitter.com/VhDlEnFypy — Richard Winton (@LAcrimes) February 24, 2020
Fan remembers favorite interactions with late Kobe Bryant - 8:35 a.m.
Ben Morrison drove to Staples Center from Newport Beach to attend Kobe Bryant’s memorial service, which was extra personal to him compared to others.
The 21-year-old attended Bryant’s church, and remembers seeing him all the time, but didn’t talk to him as often as he wanted.
The one personal interaction he had with him happened during an Independence Day holiday, when he saw Bryant buy $40 worth of fireworks.
Morrison said Bryant gave the cashier a $100 bill and told him to “keep the change.” He also remembers Bryant having the newer iPhone version.
“He was a baller,” Morrison said as he walked toward Staples Center in a yellow No.8, Bryant’s Lakers jersey.
Morrison got a $24 ticket to the event, and said it was important for him to come so he could get closure.
“I think it’s powerful to come here with so many different people who are feeling the same way I’m feeling.”
— Emmanuel Morgan
Thousands of fans wait in line outside Staples Center for Kobe Bryant memorial - 8:16 a.m.
LOS ANGELES CA FEBRUARY 24, 2020 -- Fans gather outside Staples Center the the ‘Celebration of Life’ for Kobe and Gianna Bryant, honoring the late NBA legend and his 13-year-old daughter who died along with seven others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas last month. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
Thousands of fans waited on a cold morning outside the doors of the house that Kobe Bryant built clad in black, purple and gold.
They stood almost silent, respectful. It wasn’t like a game day.
Berly Schwartz accompanied by her son Bun Garcia stood in line outside Staples Center, her voice breaking as she spoke.
“I am just so emotional,” she said, showing pictures on her cellphone of her husband, Sam Schwartz, with a framed Kobe 24 shirt. “I came to Kobe’s games with my husband. He died two years ago. He loved Kobe and the Lakers.”
“I think of the families. It is so hard for them,” she said. “My husband and I come to a lot of Kobe’s games. We’d get tickets through brokers.”
“I feel numb still,” said her son Bun of Anaheim, clad in his Lakers jacket. “I don’t know if the numbness will ever go away for L.A.”
He said “at first people thought maybe they are wrong. Maybe Kobe isn’t dead. Today really brings home the reality.”
For Berly and Bun, Bryant was part of the life they loved with Sam. “My husband would be so mad to lose Kobe,” she said.
The memorial doesn’t begin for two hours. The gates don’t open for 15 minutes. And the Star Plaza is already filling with purple and gold pic.twitter.com/EqSC9bNc2V — Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) February 24, 2020
The crowd outside Staples waiting in line was subdued, many wearing black with the colors of the Lakers .
Rosa Arangure drove all the way from San Diego and was dressed for a funeral and could barely speak as a tear rolled down her cheek from behind her dark large sunglasses.
“It is terrible for everyone,” Arangure said. “Right now people are around the families but it will get difficult for them in the months. It is difficult for all Lakers fans to accept what happened.”
Arangure said her niece was hoping to play with Gianna Bryant one day.
— Richard Winton
Security is tight around Staples Center - 8:02 a.m.
Fans arrive early outside Staples Center for the ‘Celebration of Life ‘for Kobe and Gianna Bryant Monday morning, February 24, 2020. (Andrew Gombert / Los Angeles Times) (Andrew Gombert /Los Angeles Times)
Security is pretty tight. I had my ticket checked five times before I got in front of Staples Center.
There are lines of at least 50 people deep at every entrance before the doors were opened.
If you have a Kobe Bryant jersey, you’re wearing it today.
Purple, gold, white, black — if it has No. 8 or No. 24 on it and the name “Bryant” on the back, that’s what you have on — fewer people wearing black than you might expect.
The memorial doesn’t begin for two hours. The gates don’t open for 15 minutes. And the Star Plaza is already filling with purple and gold pic.twitter.com/EqSC9bNc2V — Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) February 24, 2020
— Dan Woike
Kobe Bryant memorial will honor Lakers legend’s career with more than 33,000 roses - 7:20 a.m.
1 / 38 Lakers star Kobe Bryant pauses for a moment as confetti streams down at the Staples Center following his final game on April 13, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 38 Kobe Bryant, the teenager obtained by the Lakers in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets, takes part in an ad shoot for Adidas at Will Rogers State Beach. (Los Angeles Times) 3 / 38 Kobe Bryant was already shooting his first commercial before taking his first shot for the Lakers. (Los Angeles Times) 4 / 38 Laker rookie Kobe Bryant, 18, listens to coach Del Harris during a break in a 129-99 victory over the Washington Bullets at the Forum. Bryant scored 13 points. (Los Angeles Times) 5 / 38 Kobe Bryant drives against Utah center Greg Ostertag in the Western Conference Finals at the Forum in Inglewood. Utah won 109-98 to give the Jazz a 3-0 lead in the series. (Paul Morse / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 38 Kobe Bryant is dejected after losing the ball late in the second half of Game 3 of the 1999 Western Conference semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs at the Forum. The Lakers lost, 103-91, giving the Spurs a 3-0 advantage in the series. The Spurs went on to win the series 4-0. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 38 Kobe Bryant drives past Chris Webber in Game 4 of the first round of the 2000 Western Conference playoffs at Arco Arena in Sacramento. The Kings won, 101-88, but the Lakers went on to win the series in five games and advanced to face the Phoenix Suns in the next round. (Bob Galbraith / Associated Press) 8 / 38 Despite Jason Kidd’s hand in his face, Kobe Bryant puts up the winning shot in the Lakers’ 97-96 victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Arena. The Lakers won the series, 4-1. (K.C. Alfred / Associated Press) 9 / 38 Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal had a moment to relax after winning their first title together in the 2000 NBA Finals. The two kicked back after a 116-111 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 at Staples Center. Bryant is holding the championship trophy and O’Neal has his Finals MVP trophy. (Paul Morse / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 38 Kobe Bryant performs on stage at the House of Blues in West Hollywood in 2000 during a celebration of the launch of his record label, Heads High Entertainment. (Clarence Williams / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 38 Kobe Bryant is swarmed by teammates Derek Fisher, Rick Fox and Shaquille O’Neal as he heads to the foul line in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. Bryant scored 45 points as the Lakers beat the Spurs, 104-90, on their way to a sweep of the series. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 38 Kobe Bryant goes up for a dunk in the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during Game 3 of the 2001 Western Conference finals at Staples Center. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 38 Lakers players Kobe Bryant, left, Lindsey Hunter and Shaquille O’Neal celebrate their NBA title victory over the New Jersey Nets on June 12, 2002. (Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 38 Kobe Bryant, with his wife, Vanessa, at his side, holds a news conference at Staples Center in 2003 to discuss accusations by a 19-year-old Colorado woman that he sexually assaulted her. He conceded he was guilty of adultery, but he declared he was innocent of charges of felonious sexual assault. The charges were later dropped. (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 38 Los Angeles Lakers Karl Malone, left, Kobe Bryant, Gary Payton and Shaquille O’Neal before their preseason opener with the Los Angeles Clippers. It was Bryant’s first game since sexual assault charges were filed against him in Colorado. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 38 Kobe Bryant, left, looks at his defense attorney Pamela Mackey as he is advised by Eagle County Judge Frederick Gannett during his felony sexual assault hearing in Eagle, Colo., on Aug. 6, 2003. (Barry Gutierrez / Associated Press) 17 / 38 Hours after pleading not guilty to a felony sexual assault charge in Colorado, an exhausted Kobe Bryant is congratulated by teammate Derek Fisher after the Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs, 98-90, in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center. Bryant scored 42 points as the Lakers tied the series at 2-2. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 38 Kobe Bryant writhes in pain after injuring his right ankle during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 13, 2005, in Los Angeles. Bryant was injured when he landed awkwardly on his right foot while going for a rebound under the Cavaliers’ basket and had to be helped off the court. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 38 Kobe Bryant and his new backcourt partner, William “Smush” Parker, during a 2005 preseason game against Utah at the Anaheim Pond. (Los Angeles Times) 20 / 38 Lakers star Kobe Bryant stands next to coach Phil Jackson during a playoff game against the Phoenix Suns in April 2006. (Matt York / Associated Press) 21 / 38 Kobe Bryant walks off the court with his wife, Vanessa, and daughter Natalia after scoring a career-high 81 points in a Lakers win over the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center on Jan. 22, 2006. (Noah Graham / NBAE/Getty Images) 22 / 38 Lakers star Kobe Bryant scores in front of Toronto’s Matt Bonner on his way to scoring 81 points during the Lakers’ 122-104 victory on Jan. 22, 2006. (Matt A. Brown / Associated Press) 23 / 38 Kobe Bryant celebrates the Lakers’ victory over the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 38 Kobe Bryant celebrates after winning his fourth NBA title following the Lakers’ win over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals. (Emmanuel Dunand /AFP/Getty Images) 25 / 38 Kobe Bryant celebrates the Lakers’ Game 7 victory over the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 38 Kobe Bryant holds the NBA championship trophy during the team’s 2010 NBA title victory parade. (David McNew / Getty Images) 27 / 38 Kobe Bryant shows off what he can do with a basketball during an event in Milan, Italy, in September 2011. (Luca Bruno / Associated Press) 28 / 38 Lakers guard Kobe Bryant goes up for a shot over New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler during a game in December 2011. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press) 29 / 38 U.S. players Kevin Durant, left, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant celebrate after winning the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. (Charles Krupa / Associated Press) 30 / 38 Kobe Bryant writhes in pain after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during a game against the Golden State Warriors on April 12, 2013. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 38 Kobe Bryant warms up before playing against the Toronto Raptors on Dec. 8, 2013, in his first game back from a torn Achilles tendon. (Harry How / Getty Images) 32 / 38 Kobe Bryant is congratulated by teammates after passing Michael Jordan on the NBA’s all-time scoring list during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 14, 2014. (Jeff Wheeler / TNS) 33 / 38 Lakers star Kobe Bryant goes to hug his family after his final NBA game on April 13, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 38 Kobe Bryant poses with his family after getting his jerseys retired before a game between the Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on Dec. 18, 2017. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press) 35 / 38 Lakers legend Kobe Bryant walks off the court after his jersey retirement ceremony at the Staples Center in 2017. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 38 Kobe Bryant smiles after winning an Academy Award for best animated short film for “Dear Basketball” on March 4, 2018. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 38 Kobe Bryant shares a laugh with his daughter Gianna while attending a women’s basketball game between Long Beach State and Oregon on Dec. 14, 2019. (Ringo H.W. Chiu / Associated Press) 38 / 38 Lakers star Kobe Bryant watches a tribute video at Staples Center before the final game of his career on April 13, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Details regarding the Kobe Bryant memorial at Staples Center are starting to emerge.
In what likely will be one of the more visually stunning aspects of the service, the placement of more than 33,000 roses around the center stage will symbolize each of the points the Lakers legend scored during his career.
There will be a rose for every point Kobe Bryant scored in his NBA career (33,643) placed around the center stage for his memorial today at Staples Center. — Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) February 24, 2020
So far, the scene at L.A. Live is pretty quiet. Ticket holders for the memorial will be allowed into Staples Center at 8 a.m.
Here’s a look at LA Live and Staples Center before the memorial today for Kobe and Gianna Bryant. Only media crews with proper credentials are being allowed in the area at the moment. Doors open at 8 a.m. for ticketed guests. pic.twitter.com/KJQYQetbjG — L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) February 24, 2020
They have just opened the gates for ticketed fans at Staples Center for the Kobe memorial. pic.twitter.com/oVIEX1l9dp — L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) February 24, 2020
— Times staff
Fans urged to avoid Staples Center unless they have a ticket - 6:41 a.m.
Out of respect for the family of Kobe Bryant and the eight others killed last month in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, fans are being urged by police to stay away from Staples Center during Monday’s memorial unless they have a ticket.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore said Friday that unless visitors to the downtown Los Angeles venue were among the 20,000 ticketed mourners for the memorial , which begins at 10 a.m., they would not be allowed into the surrounding area, including L.A. Live.
READ MORE >>>
— Richard Winton


latimes--2020-02-24--Harvey Weinstein found guilty of rape in sexual assault trial

Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of rape and a felony sex crime Monday , marking a climactic end to a high-profile case that in some ways serves as vindication of the # MeToo movement .
Those two counts were connected to individual allegations made by Mimi Haley , a former Weinstein Co. production assistant , and Jessica Mann , a once-aspiring actress .
Weinstein was acquitted on the two most serious charges of predatory sexual assault , which each carried a potential life sentence .
Weinstein , 69 , appeared to be staring ahead while a half-dozen court officers surrounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The movie producer struggled to get up from his seat as he was handcuffed and escorted out of the courtroom .
Judge James Burke ordered Weinstein to be held in custody until his sentencing March 11 .
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. listed the names of the six accusers who testified during the trial , as well as the prosecutors who brought Weinstein to justice : Joan Illuzzi-Orbon and Meghan Hast .
“ These are eight women who pulled our justice system into the 21st century , ” Vance told a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead attorney , Donna Rotunno , said Weinstein was “ shocked ” and that he would appeal the decision .
The jury deliberated for five days after listening to weeks of emotional testimony from a half-dozen women who said that the fallen Hollywood titan used his influence and the promise of potential acting roles to lure them to isolated locations , where he then forced himself on them after they resisted his advances .
Prosecutors did not have forensic evidence or corroborating witnesses to any of the assaults , and Weinstein ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was consensual .
But after a case that was in many ways considered the culmination of the # MeToo movement , the jurors ultimately chose to believe the women ’ s accusations over the protestations of their alleged rapist .
Though the charges were based on the allegations of two women , the shadow of the many others who had come forward loomed over the case from the start .
Jurors were chosen specifically for their professed ability to ignore media coverage and decide the case based only on evidence heard in court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physically diminished Weinstein shuffled in and out of a 15th-floor courtroom with the aid of a walker .
He appeared stoic as six accusers testified ; they faced hours of cross-examination , and some broke into tears as they recounted their alleged encounters with the once formidable movie producer .
Weinstein did not testify in his own defense , so prosecutors were unable to interrogate him about his alleged conduct .
But Weinstein and his lawyers have insisted that his encounters with the women were consensual .
Most of the women said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a professional relationship .
Weinstein would express interest in each woman ’ s acting career or a script they were writing before inviting them to his hotel room or Manhattan apartment , they said .
Annabella Sciorra , the Brooklyn actress best known for her role in “ The Sopranos , ” said Weinstein offered her a ride home from an industry dinner in Manhattan in 1993 or 1994 .
The two had met several times but never flirted or discussed the possibility of a romantic relationship , Sciorra said .
But moments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gramercy Park apartment building , Weinstein knocked on the door and barged his way in , she said .
He began unbuttoning his shirt and lunged forward , even though the actress told him to leave , according to Sciorra .
She said she punched and kicked Weinstein to no avail .
“ I was just trying to get him away from me and he took my hands and he put them over my head , ” Sciorra said .
“ He got on top of me and he raped me.
” Sciorra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecute individually , but it was factored into the top count of the indictment .
To convict Weinstein of predatory sexual assault , jurors had to believe the mogul assaulted Sciorra and one of two other accusers : Haley or Mann .
After four days of deliberation , the jury asked Burke if they could deadlock on the predatory sexual assault counts , but reach a unanimous decision on the individual allegations made by Haley and Mann .
The question was posed only as a hypothetical , but Burke ordered them to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistant on the Weinstein Co. show “ Project Runway , ” said she first met Weinstein in 2004 and repeatedly rebuffed his advances .
But she agreed to meet Weinstein at his SoHo apartment in 2006 out of fear she had damaged her relationship with the powerful Hollywood figure , she said .
What started as a casual conversation spiraled out of control when Weinstein attempted to kiss her , she testified last month .
Weinstein , who prosecutors said weighed more than 300 pounds at the time , used his bulk to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her down her arms and forcibly perform oral sex on her , Haley said .
In court , she remembered saying “ No ” repeatedly , and then realizing she was being raped .
After Haley and Sciorra testified , Mann took the stand , describing a lengthy and abusive relationship with Weinstein .
While some of their encounters were consensual , the once aspiring actress also accused Weinstein of raping her on two separate occasions in hotels in New York and Southern California .
“ He could lift you up to anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed doors it was … dependent on if I gave him what he wanted , ” Mann said .
Mann ’ s testimony lasted three days .
When lead defense attorney Donna Rotunno cross-examined her about possibly suffering sexual abuse as a child , Mann broke into sobs and had to be escorted from the courtroom .
The Washington state native said that while she was never sexually attracted to Weinstein , she felt “ compassion ” for him and wanted his approval in her acting career .
But the relationship turned violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 , Mann said , when Weinstein grabbed her and dragged her into a room , she said .
Once inside , he physically barred her from leaving , she told the jury .
Mann said she “ gave up ” and had sex with Weinstein against her will .
Months later , Mann said she tried to end her relationship with Weinstein at a Beverly Hills hotel when she told him she had fallen in love with someone else .
Weinstein became enraged , picked her up from a chair and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Three other women , whose allegations were either too old to prosecute or happened outside the jurisdiction of Manhattan prosecutors , also testified against Weinstein .
Dawn Dunning claimed Weinstein slipped his hand up her skirt against her will in 2004 , and then later offered her a number of movie roles if she promised to have a threesome with the mogul and his business assistant .
Tarale Wulff , who once worked as a waitress at a swank Manhattan club , claimed Weinstein masturbated in front of her at the restaurant and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lauren Young , whose allegations led to criminal charges against Weinstein in Los Angeles , accused Weinstein of trapping her in a hotel bathroom then groping her while he masturbated .
Throughout the trial , Weinstein ’ s defense attorneys sought to undermine the veracity of each woman ’ s narratives .
Rotunno and Damon Cheronis highlighted some accusers ’ inability to recall exact dates and times of the alleged assaults , or confronted them with e-mails and other evidence that they stayed in contact with the mogul after the alleged violent rapes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the women were not victims , but opportunists seeking connections and acting roles .
Before the verdict was delivered , some legal experts predicted that the accusers ’ continued contact with Weinstein could pose problems for the prosecution .
Haley and Mann both had consensual sex with Weinstein after the alleged assaults , the defense argued .
Cheronis said Mann was actually in a “ loving relationship ” with Weinstein rather than the hellish dynamic she described , and Rotunno produced e-mails showing Haley once offered to introduce the mogul to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mann turned to Weinstein when her father died and during a difficult breakup .
“ The person you chose to reach out to was the person you claimed sexually assaulted you , ” Rotunno said .
“ You reached out to Harvey because you wanted to see him.
” Trauma experts have said a sexual assault victim might stay in touch with their abuser because of financial dependence or , in Weinstein ’ s case , because he held power over them in Hollywood .
A witness for the prosecution , forensic psychiatrist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so-called rape myths — including the notions that the truthfulness of a rape allegation can be evaluated by how an accuser behaves afterward .
During her closing arguments , Rotunno said that the women made the choice to interact with Weinstein , and that prosecutors had “ created a universe that strips ... adult women of common sense , autonomy , and responsibility .
It ’ s offensive , actually.
” In her closing argument , prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon pushed back against the idea that staying in touch with an alleged abuser means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The question is not whether Jessica Mann made a bad decision , ” Illuzzi-Orbon said .
“ The question for you is whether or not Jessica is lying .
If she ’ s telling you the truth , she ’ s the victim of rape.
” Social advocacy group Time ’ s Up said in a statement that the verdict marked just one victory in a long fight for systemic change .
`` “ While we celebrate this historic moment , our fight to fix the broken system that has allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women in the first place continues , ” the statement said .
“ Abusers everywhere and the powerful forces that protect them should be on notice : There ’ s no going back.
” Weinstein will next answer to four more counts of rape and sexual battery charges in Los Angeles .

Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of rape and a felony sex crime Monday, marking a climactic end to a high-profile case that in some ways serves as vindication of the #MeToo movement.
Those two counts were connected to individual allegations made by Mimi Haley, a former Weinstein Co. production assistant, and Jessica Mann, a once-aspiring actress. Weinstein was acquitted on the two most serious charges of predatory sexual assault, which each carried a potential life sentence.
Weinstein, 69, appeared to be staring ahead while a half-dozen court officers surrounded him just after the verdict was delivered. The movie producer struggled to get up from his seat as he was handcuffed and escorted out of the courtroom.
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Judge James Burke ordered Weinstein to be held in custody until his sentencing March 11.
Late Monday, Weinstein was taken to Bellevue Hospital with chest palpitations and high blood pressure, his attorney said. She said he is expected to be OK.
Manhattan Dist. Atty. Cyrus Vance Jr. listed the names of the six accusers who testified during the trial, as well as the prosecutors who brought Weinstein to justice: Joan Illuzzi-Orbon and Meghan Hast.
“These are eight women who pulled our justice system into the 21st century,” Vance told a swarm of reporters.
California Weinstein accusers share relief, tears and hope after verdict Women’s rights groups and actresses who have accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual abuse described feeling a wave of relief and camaraderie on Monday after a jury found the producer guilty of one count of rape and one count of committing a criminal sexual act.
Weinstein’s lead attorney, Donna Rotunno, said Weinstein was “shocked” and that he would appeal the decision.
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The jury deliberated for five days after listening to weeks of emotional testimony from a half-dozen women who said that the fallen Hollywood titan used his influence and the promise of potential acting roles to lure them to isolated locations, where he then forced himself on them after they resisted his advances.
Prosecutors did not have forensic evidence or corroborating witnesses to any of the assaults, and Weinstein’s defense attorneys had insisted each alleged encounter was consensual. But after a case that was in many ways considered the culmination of the #MeToo movement, the jurors ultimately chose to believe the women’s accusations over the protestations of their alleged rapist.
Though the charges were based on the allegations of two women, the shadow of the many others who had come forward loomed over the case from the start. Jurors were chosen specifically for their professed ability to ignore media coverage and decide the case based only on evidence heard in court.
During the six-week trial, a physically diminished Weinstein shuffled in and out of a 15th-floor courtroom with the aid of a walker. He appeared stoic as six accusers testified; they faced hours of cross-examination, and some broke into tears as they recounted their alleged encounters with the once formidable movie producer.
Weinstein did not testify in his own defense, so prosecutors were unable to interrogate him about his alleged conduct. But Weinstein and his lawyers have insisted that his encounters with the women were consensual.
Most of the women said the alleged assaults began under the pretext of a professional relationship. Weinstein would express interest in each woman’s acting career or a script they were writing before inviting them to his hotel room or Manhattan apartment, they said.
Annabella Sciorra, the Brooklyn actress best known for her role in “The Sopranos,” said Weinstein offered her a ride home from an industry dinner in Manhattan in 1993 or 1994. The two had met several times but never flirted or discussed the possibility of a romantic relationship, Sciorra said.
But moments after she was dropped off at her Gramercy Park apartment building, Weinstein knocked on the door and barged his way in, she said.
He began unbuttoning his shirt and lunged forward, even though the actress told him to leave, according to Sciorra. She said she punched and kicked Weinstein to no avail.
“I was just trying to get him away from me and he took my hands and he put them over my head,” Sciorra said. “He got on top of me and he raped me.”
Sciorra’s allegation was too old to prosecute individually, but it was factored into the top count of the indictment. To convict Weinstein of predatory sexual assault, jurors had to believe the mogul assaulted Sciorra and one of two other accusers: Haley or Mann.
After four days of deliberation, the jury asked Burke if they could deadlock on the predatory sexual assault counts, but reach a unanimous decision on the individual allegations made by Haley and Mann. The question was posed only as a hypothetical, but Burke ordered them to continue deliberating.
Haley, a former production assistant on the Weinstein Co. show “Project Runway,” said she first met Weinstein in 2004 and repeatedly rebuffed his advances. But she agreed to meet Weinstein at his SoHo apartment in 2006 out of fear she had damaged her relationship with the powerful Hollywood figure, she said.
What started as a casual conversation spiraled out of control when Weinstein attempted to kiss her, she testified last month. Weinstein, who prosecutors said weighed more than 300 pounds at the time, used his bulk to back her into a bedroom, hold her down her arms and forcibly perform oral sex on her, Haley said.
In court, she remembered saying “No” repeatedly, and then realizing she was being raped.
After Haley and Sciorra testified, Mann took the stand, describing a lengthy and abusive relationship with Weinstein. While some of their encounters were consensual, the once aspiring actress also accused Weinstein of raping her on two separate occasions in hotels in New York and Southern California.
“He could lift you up to anyone he introduced you to and then behind closed doors it was … dependent on if I gave him what he wanted,” Mann said.
Mann’s testimony lasted three days. When lead defense attorney Donna Rotunno cross-examined her about possibly suffering sexual abuse as a child, Mann broke into sobs and had to be escorted from the courtroom.
The Washington state native said that while she was never sexually attracted to Weinstein, she felt “compassion” for him and wanted his approval in her acting career.
But the relationship turned violent in a New York City hotel in 2013, Mann said, when Weinstein grabbed her and dragged her into a room, she said. Once inside, he physically barred her from leaving, she told the jury.
Mann said she “gave up” and had sex with Weinstein against her will.
Months later, Mann said she tried to end her relationship with Weinstein at a Beverly Hills hotel when she told him she had fallen in love with someone else.
Weinstein became enraged, picked her up from a chair and then violently raped her, she said.
Three other women, whose allegations were either too old to prosecute or happened outside the jurisdiction of Manhattan prosecutors, also testified against Weinstein. Dawn Dunning claimed Weinstein slipped his hand up her skirt against her will in 2004, and then later offered her a number of movie roles if she promised to have a threesome with the mogul and his business assistant.
Tarale Wulff, who once worked as a waitress at a swank Manhattan club, claimed Weinstein masturbated in front of her at the restaurant and later forcibly raped her in 2005. Lauren Young, whose allegations led to criminal charges against Weinstein in Los Angeles, accused Weinstein of trapping her in a hotel bathroom then groping her while he masturbated.
Throughout the trial, Weinstein’s defense attorneys sought to undermine the veracity of each woman’s narratives. Rotunno and Damon Cheronis highlighted some accusers’ inability to recall exact dates and times of the alleged assaults, or confronted them with e-mails and other evidence that they stayed in contact with the mogul after the alleged violent rapes they described.
And the defense insisted that the women were not victims, but opportunists seeking connections and acting roles.
Before the verdict was delivered, some legal experts predicted that the accusers’ continued contact with Weinstein could pose problems for the prosecution.
Haley and Mann both had consensual sex with Weinstein after the alleged assaults, the defense argued. Cheronis said Mann was actually in a “loving relationship” with Weinstein rather than the hellish dynamic she described, and Rotunno produced e-mails showing Haley once offered to introduce the mogul to her mother.
E-mails presented by Rotunno showed Mann turned to Weinstein when her father died and during a difficult breakup.
“The person you chose to reach out to was the person you claimed sexually assaulted you,” Rotunno said. “You reached out to Harvey because you wanted to see him.”
Trauma experts have said a sexual assault victim might stay in touch with their abuser because of financial dependence or, in Weinstein’s case, because he held power over them in Hollywood.
A witness for the prosecution, forensic psychiatrist Barbara Ziv, attempted to knock down so-called rape myths — including the notions that the truthfulness of a rape allegation can be evaluated by how an accuser behaves afterward.
During her closing arguments, Rotunno said that the women made the choice to interact with Weinstein, and that prosecutors had “created a universe that strips ... adult women of common sense, autonomy, and responsibility. It’s offensive, actually.”
In her closing argument, prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon pushed back against the idea that staying in touch with an alleged abuser means that the abuse didn’t happen.
“The question is not whether Jessica Mann made a bad decision,” Illuzzi-Orbon said. “The question for you is whether or not Jessica is lying. If she’s telling you the truth, she’s the victim of rape.”
Social advocacy group Time’s Up said in a statement that the verdict marked just one victory in a long fight for systemic change.
““While we celebrate this historic moment, our fight to fix the broken system that has allowed serial abusers like Harvey Weinstein to abuse women in the first place continues,” the statement said. “Abusers everywhere and the powerful forces that protect them should be on notice: There’s no going back.”
Weinstein will next answer to four more counts of rape and sexual battery charges in Los Angeles.


latimes--2020-02-24--Rapper Pop Smoke died of gunshot wound to the torso, coroner says

Pop Smoke , an up-and-coming rapper who was gunned down inside a posh home in the Hollywood Hills last week , died of a gunshot wound to the torso , according to the Los Angeles County coroner ’ s office .
Police responded to the $ 2.5-million home in the 2000 block of Hercules Drive after a phone call from someone reporting that several people , including one wearing a mask and armed with a handgun , burst into the property shortly before 5 a.m. Wednesday , police said .
When they arrived , officers found the 20-year-old rapper , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wounded by gunfire .
He was taken to a hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
At least four suspects fled the scene , and authorities say they have not been found .
Investigators suspect the home where the rapper was staying was targeted by the assailants .
In recent years , Los Angeles residences being rented by musicians have been the target of several home invasions , according to law enforcement sources .
Investigators are aware that the rapper , or a member of his entourage , may have inadvertently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s address on social media , the sources said .
Photos and videos on Pop Smoke ’ s Instagram story showed him in L.A. getting a haircut Tuesday and posing by the infinity pool in the backyard of the Hollywood Hills home where he was staying .
Later that evening , he posted a photo of the Los Angeles skyline from what appeared to be the home ’ s backyard .
At one point , the rapper or a member of his group uploaded a photo of a black gift bag tagged with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed him posing by a white Range Rover with the address of the home partly visible in the background .
The rapper ’ s death came days after his second mixtape , “ Meet the Woo 2 , ” debuted at No .
7 on the Billboard Top 200 list .
His breakthrough mixtape , “ Meet the Woo , ” released last year , has 280 million streams globally .
Pop Smoke was signed to Republic Records through Victor Victor Worldwide , according to the label .
“ We are devastated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smoke , ” a Republic Records spokesperson said last week .
“ Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family , friends and fans , as we mourn this loss together .
”

Pop Smoke, an up-and-coming rapper who was gunned down inside a posh home in the Hollywood Hills last week, died of a gunshot wound to the torso, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
Police responded to the $2.5-million home in the 2000 block of Hercules Drive after a phone call from someone reporting that several people, including one wearing a mask and armed with a handgun, had burst into the property shortly before 5 a.m. Wednesday, police said.
When they arrived, officers found the 20-year-old rapper, whose legal name is Bashar Barakah Jackson, wounded by gunfire. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. At least four suspects fled the scene, and authorities say they have not been found.
Investigators suspect the home where the rapper was staying was targeted by the assailants. In recent years, Los Angeles residences being rented by musicians have been the target of several home invasions, according to law enforcement sources.
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Investigators are aware that the rapper, or a member of his entourage, may have inadvertently posted an image with the home’s address on social media, the sources said.
Photos and videos on Pop Smoke’s Instagram story showed him in L.A. getting a haircut Tuesday and posing by the infinity pool in the backyard of the Hollywood Hills home where he was staying. Later that evening, he posted a photo of the Los Angeles skyline from what appeared to be the home’s backyard.
At one point, the rapper or a member of his group uploaded a photo of a black gift bag tagged with his Hollywood Hills address. Another photo showed him posing by a white Range Rover with the address of the home partly visible in the background.
The rapper’s death came days after his second mixtape, “Meet the Woo 2,” debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Top 200 list. His breakthrough mixtape, “Meet the Woo,” released last year, has 280 million streams globally.
Pop Smoke was signed to Republic Records through Victor Victor Worldwide, according to the label.
“We are devastated by the unexpected and tragic loss of Pop Smoke,” a Republic Records spokesperson said last week. “Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family, friends and fans, as we mourn this loss together.”
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Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report.