COLORADO Bryant's accuser makes appearance to observe

The Los Angeles Lakers standout was due back in court today.
EAGLE, Colo. (AP) -- The woman accusing Kobe Bryant of rape made an unannounced appearance in the courtroom while lawyers argued whether her mental health was relevant in the trial.
The 19-year-old woman slipped into the building through a fire exit Monday and spent about two hours in the courtroom. Court spokeswoman Karen Salaz said she was told the woman was there to observe.
It was only the second time she had appeared in the same room as Bryant since the case began. The other time was March 24, when she was questioned for more than three hours.
It wasn't clear what portion of the hearing she saw. By the end of the day, attorneys had wrapped up arguments on the relevance of her mental health, two purported suicide attempts last spring and any evidence of alcohol or drug use.
Bryant was due back in court today, when defense lawyers and prosecutors were set to discuss what kinds of questions potential jurors should be asked.
Next step
Bryant is scheduled to enter his plea sometime before the hearing ends Wednesday. Once he does so, a trial must be set within six months, although Bryant can waive that right.
Both sides have told District Judge Terry Ruckriegle they think a trial would take two to three weeks.
Bryant has said he hopes to play in the Aug. 13-29 Olympics in Athens, but he also has acknowledged the case could make that impossible.
"Convenience to the accused is not going to be the primary factor," said Scott Robinson, a defense attorney who has followed the case.
"But he [Ruckriegle] won't ignore it. If Mr. Bryant is supposed to be in the Olympic Games and there's plenty of time outside that period to try the case, then it's possible."
Bryant was expected to fly back to Los Angeles tonight for the Lakers' playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs, then return to Eagle for the final day of the hearing.