CINCINNATI (AP, abc24.com) - A fan's lawsuit against Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe (KOH'-bee) Bryant over a courtside incident in Memphis has been bounced back to a lower court by a federal appeals court.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati says a U.S. district court was right to dismiss the fan's claim of emotional distress. But the lower court was asked Thursday to take another look at the lawsuit's claim of assault and battery. The fan says Bryant knocked his seat back, then forearmed him in the chest when the NBA star charged after the ball in a 2005 game.
The district court ruled fans sitting courtside assume risk. But the appeals court says that wouldn't include the alleged forearm shove. Messages were left Thursday for attorneys on both sides.
