Kobe Bryant's lawyers have responded to his accuser's and the prosecution's request to set a trial date. They point out what is obvious to us, that Kobe's life also is being ruined by the criminal case against him.

"The accuser's false accusation of rape has exacted a personal and professional toll on Mr. Bryant that is as incalculable as it is indescribable. No one looks forward to this case being over more than Mr. Bryant," his attorneys Pamela Mackey and Hal Haddon said in a court filing. Bryant could have entered his not guilty plea when he first appeared in court, but he has been proceeding in accordance with court policy, his lawyers said. "Kobe Bryant requests that this court accept his not guilty plea and set a trial date consistent with the Fifth Judicial District's policy and this court's schedule," the defense said.

Kobe's lawyers point out that the delay is not attributable to Kobe:

Instead, the defense blamed delays on disputes over evidence testing and handing over of evidence so the defense could conduct independent testing on the accuser's underwear. The defense maintains that prosecutors have not turned over evidence that could point to Bryant's innocence as prosecutors in the United States are required to do.

Kobe's lawyers dispute the accuser's mother's contention that her daughter "was forced to quit school and was being followed by the media and the defense."

The defense said such statements were incorrect or misleading and "calculated to create public sympathy."