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I have been a Lakers fan since I started watching basketball back in 1987 at the age of 5 years and I think Kobe Bryant is the most talented basketball player in the NBA. I grew up less than 5 miles from Great Western Forum and my father swears that he bleeds purple and gold. Nevertheless, my loyalty to the team and to my favorite player does not compel me discredit the victim in this case and proclaim Kobe's innocence. While it is true that the accused is innocent until proven guilty, that only means that the burden of proof falls on the prosecution to convict Kobe Bryant. The jury must return a verdict of not guilty if the prosecution fails to adequately demonstrate the guilt of the defendant. It does not mean that we must assume that Kobe is innocent, and therefore the victim is dishonest. In fact, the principle does not even apply to the general public, but instead is restricted to the realm of the courtroom, and to the deliberation of the jury in particular. Furthermore, the opinions of those not directly involved in the case have no influence on the verdict, and are therefore irrelevant except in one aspect. The fact that there are so many outspoken proponents for the innocence of K