Ms. Denson, who according to the caption in a photo we saw last week, wore a different Giorgio Armani pants suit each day of the trial, had been free on a $600,000.00 bond secured by her ranch. She owns fur stores in Vail and Aspen.

Facing 48 years in prison for second degree murder, she was defended by veteran Denver defense lawyer Scott Robinson.

In the last high profile murder trial in Eagle, that of businessman Chuck Garrison, accused of killing his wife and burying her in the back yard, Eagle DAs (led by former DA Mike Goodbee and current DA Mark Hurlburt,) lost their bid for a murder one conviction. The jury settled on second degree murder, the difference being life in prison without parole and a 30 year parolable sentence.

One has to wonder whether the Eagle DA's are up to the task of trying Kobe Bryant. And whether the loss of the Denson case means they place too much reliance on police and witness theories that are not substantiated by facts when making their charging decisions. And whether they have a tendency to throw the book at prominent defendants, holding them to a higher standard.

One of the Denson jurors had this to say after the verdict:

The DAs didn't have a case against her," said juror Jeff Burns of Basalt after the verdict was delivered. "The only thing they proved is that there was a killing."

Kathleen Denson looked and acted every bit the socialite during her trial. At least the Eagle county jury didn't hold her to a higher standard. Maybe Kobe Bryant won't move for a change of venue after all.....