EAGLE, Colorado, Aug 16 (AFP) - NBA icon Kobe Bryant was back in court Monday for the last hearing ahead of his rape trial, as a new ruling in his favor quelled speculation that the troubled case would be shelved.
The Los Angeles Lakers guard's beaming legal team won another positive ruling from Colorado's Supreme Court, paving the way for details of his accuser's sex life to be heard at trial over prosecution objections.
The decision came after the prosecution case suffered a string of body blows in recent weeks, prompting prosecutors to move desperately to delay the start of the trial, set for less than two weeks time on August 27.
But the latest ruling by the supreme court means that the trial looks set to go ahead later this month whether the prosecution is ready or not, paving the way for the state's case against Bryant to potentially collapse at trial.
"I think it's full steam ahead," said Craig Silverman, a Denver defense attorney who has been following the celebrity case. "But clearly this accuser and her lawyers hold the trump card."
The Colorado Supreme Court refused to hear prosecutors' appeal of trial Judge Terry Ruckriegle's decision to allow details of Bryant's accuser's sexual history into evidence at trial.
Ruckriegle said Bryant's alleged victim's actions around the time of their June 30, 2003 encounter were admissible, a move prosecutors have said has damaged their case.
The prosecution last week unsuccessfully sought a delay in the start the trial and simultaneously filed an appeal against the judge's decision to allow evidence of the accuser's sexual history into evidence.
Both moves have now failed, leaving the fate of the case in the accuser's hands following comments by her lawyers that she may withdraw, a move that would deal the prosecution case a mortal blow.
Bryant has pleaded innocent to rape but admits to having consensual sex with the woman.
If convicted, the star could face up to life in prison, a fine of 750,000 dollars or up to 20 years probation.
Prosecutors say the young woman was injured in her encounter with Bryant, indicating she was raped, but Bryant's lawyers have said the injuries could have been caused by the woman engaging in sex with other people around the time of her encounter with Bryant.