The focus of the case himself apparently also found it difficult to stay away from the cameras. NEWSWEEK has learned that Bryant’s lawyer, Pamela Mackey, almost quit when he attended the ESPY Awards three days before charges were filed. She had instructed him to stay away, believing his appearance would seem disrespectful. (The lawyers and Bryant’s family–the star himself was reportedly “in denial”–knew that charges were imminent.) He and his wife remained at the awards until the lawyer sent Bryant’s bodyguards to retrieve him.
