NBA
Notebook: Kobe prosecutors tap JonBenet investigator

By The Associated Press

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DENVER — Prosecutors in the sexual-assault case against Kobe Bryant are being helped by a respected investigator who recently was hired to help solve the JonBenet Ramsey slaying.

Tom Bennett, who retired from the Arvada Police Department in 2001 after 30 years, has interviewed the alleged victim in the Bryant case at least once, according to a recent court filing.

"His involvement was for a very limited purpose, not as an ongoing part of the case," prosecution spokeswoman Krista Flannigan said yesterday.

Bennett declined to comment on his work on the case, reported in yesterday's Rocky Mountain News.

Bryant, 25, faces four years to life in prison or 20 years to life on probation if convicted.

Mourning leaves hospital

NEW YORK — Alonzo Mourning was released from the hospital, just days after receiving a kidney donated by a cousin he hadn't seen since childhood.

Mourning said he was in "a lot of pain" as he left New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center where he underwent the transplant on Friday. He was joined by the cousin, Jason Cooper, a 30-year-old inactive Marine who lives in New York.

Mourning, 33, retired on Nov. 24 because of complications from the kidney disease focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Notes

• Isiah Thomas sat down with Don Chaney to discuss the state of the New York Knicks, with the new team president providing no job-security assurances to the coach.

"We talked about the team, we didn't talk about my status," Chaney said.

• The Philadelphia 76ers traded F Monty Williams, a draft pick and cash to the Orlando Magic for a conditional second-round draft pick. The Sixers also placed C Marc Jackson on the IL with a broken left ring finger.

• Olden Polynice, a former Sonic, was activated by the Los Angeles Clippers after playing just one game this season and twice going on the injured list with a strained neck. The Clippers also placed Melvyn Ely (flu) on the IL.

• The Lakers placed G Jannero Pargo on the IL and activated F Brian Cook.

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