Kobe Rebounds

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Hurlbert, visibly distressed on hearing news of the agreement, had no choice but to ask for a dismissal. Says sheriff Joe Hoy, who arrested Bryant: "Were we happy about it? No. But again, we had to look at the bigger picture. And it was their choice. Much as we'd have liked to have gone forward, this was the right thing to do at this time."

That may well be true. But by the practical standards of the criminal-justice system, in which prosecutors have to measure out their resources and pursue cases they have at least some expectation of winning, this one seemed a loser from the moment Hoy collared Bryant without Hurlbert's knowledge. Although Hurlbert filed charges two weeks later, experts say he needlessly rushed the investigation. In a preliminary hearing, Judge Frederick Gannett forewarned Hurlbert about the merits: he allowed the case to go forward but noted that the evidence barely met the legal standard.

Nor did the court's serial bungling help matters. Three times court personnel released privileged information, even posting the accuser's name on the court's website. A transcript of a closed hearing that offered details of her sex life — specifically that another man's semen was found on her body and in her underwear — was mistakenly e-mailed to news organizations. And last week a jury questionnaire that also contained the accuser's name as well as a list of 150 potential witnesses was inadvertently leaked. Karen Salaz, a spokeswoman for the Colorado courts, says she is haunted by the mistakes but adds, "We've had 12-hour days, and we're only human."

The leaks removed any protection for the accuser, a one-time student at the University of Northern Colorado who once tried out for American Idol. Her ex-boyfriend, Johnray Strickland, portrays a young woman under siege: "It all affected her, the press and the tabloids and the friends who were selling her out. Wherever we went, people would yell out Ko-be!"

Bryant has been a center of attention since he waltzed into the NBA out of high school. He wore his fame like an itchy turtleneck, never quite comfortable in it, yet never wanting to remove the celebrity garment. Teammates described him as an aloof, immature superstar. His on-court clash with personable big man Shaquille O'Neal over who would be the Alpha Laker poisoned the team's season more than the trial did.

Bryant is now free to rejoin his Laker teammates — at least those who are left. As his legal team was scoring point after point, his basketball team, which lost to Detroit in the NBA finals, was disintegrating. Coach Phil Jackson is gone. So is Shaq, Gary Payton, Rick Fox and possibly Karl Malone. Bryant is the lone star, a few million dollars lighter for his legal fight — plus the $4 million "I'm sorry" ring for his wife — and toxic as a marketing personality. His contracts with McDonald's and Sprite are finished. He still has a $45 million deal with Nike, but don't expect a Kobe sneaker anytime soon. He'll have to make do with a $136 million, seven-year contract he signed with the Lakers in July.

Bryant now bounces from the criminal-justice system into the civil arena. His attorneys may have to assign a price to keep him from giving what will be a very sordid deposition. Atlanta attorney L. Lin Wood, who represents the plaintiff, told TIME, "There have been no settlement discussions with respect to the civil case," adding that Bryant's apology was independent of the civil matter.