As the hearings began, it became clear that Bryant’s formidable defense team was going to aggressively attack Faber’s credibility.[4] Various media reports about evidence that Bryant’s defense was planning to present caused widespread speculation that chances of the prosecution overcoming reasonable doubt and obtaining a conviction were dwindling. Amid both such speculation and the intense scrutiny of her personal life, Faber decided to withdraw her support of the criminal prosecution and informed prosecutors that she would be unwilling to testify in the case. With that development, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the case against Bryant, with District Attorney Mark Hurlbert citing Faber’s unwillingness to continue as his reason for doing so. As part of the overall agreement, Bryant issued a statement in which he continued to assert that his encounter with Faber was consensual, but acknowledged that Faber “did not and does not view this incident the same”.
(2)